Golden State Today

California has introduced new dashboards designed to track the state's efforts in wildfire prevention. These tools aim to provide a comprehensive view of fuels management work, which is crucial for protecting communities from wildfires and improving forest health.

Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized the interconnected nature of wildfire protection efforts, stating, “Everything we do to protect California from wildfires is connected, and nowhere else has as many tools to show the full picture while improving land management and supporting firefighters. We’re embracing the technology and best practices that will help us fight wildfires, and making sure Californians see the tireless work in their communities.”

The Interagency Treatment Dashboard now includes data from 2021 to 2023, showcasing completed wildfire resilience projects across federal, state, tribal, local, and private entities. Additionally, CAL FIRE has launched the Fuel Treatment Effectiveness Dashboard. This tool evaluates how prevention projects have influenced fire behavior and response efforts.

In 2023 alone, over 700,000 acres were treated for wildfire resilience through methods such as thinning and prescribed fires. The Governor’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force reports an increase in treatment acres since 2021 due to expanded prescribed fire treatments.

Funding for these initiatives includes $2.6 billion allocated over seven years by Governor Newsom and the legislature, with an additional $200 million annually for fire prevention programs. Efforts also include increasing firefighter numbers by adding 2,400 personnel over five years.

The state has expanded its aerial firefighting fleet under Governor Newsom's administration. New helicopters have been added for night operations alongside helitack base expansions. The fleet now includes seven C-130 air tankers.

Technological advancements play a significant role in California's strategy. CAL FIRE's drone usage has doubled for tasks like aerial ignition during burns. Artificial intelligence aids in faster fire detection through systems like FIRIS that offer real-time mapping of fires.

Partnerships with entities like the U.S. Department of Defense allow California to use satellite technology for fire detection and create detailed maps using LiDAR technology.