California strengthens wildfire risk prevention
CAL Fire and Ventura County Fire Department will begin using Vibrant Planet, an advanced wildfire planning platform designed to improve how hazardous fuel reduction projects are prioritized, planned and measured. The new technology combines parcel-level imagery from low-orbit satellites with fire behavior modeling, wildfire history, weather patterns, vegetation and building data to identify where fuel reduction projects will have the greatest impact on reducing wildfire risk in California.
By moving beyond traditional metrics, such as the number of acres treated, the platform helps fire agencies identify projects that provide the greatest protection for communities, critical infrastructure, watersheds and natural resources. The data-driven approach will help ensure that limited wildfire mitigation funding is invested where it can have the greatest impact across California counties.
“I’m excited about what this technology can do for Ventura County. It gives us a much clearer picture of where our fuel reduction efforts will have the greatest impact,” said Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner. “By working closely with our local, state and federal partners, we can make smarter decisions and ensure every dollar we invest in wildfire mitigation helps better protect our communities.”
