In the Tahoe-Truckee region, fire and community resource agencies are actively working to enhance wildfire prevention efforts. The Tahoe Fund, North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, and the Martis Fund are introducing BurnBot technology to increase the pace and scale of forest restoration.
According to Amy Berry, CEO of Tahoe Fund, forest health is the top priority. Losing the forest would have detrimental effects on the entire community. To address this issue, these agencies are collaborating to introduce BurnBot technology, which aims to reduce hazardous forest fuels using a remote control in steep slopes and dense vegetation areas.
Anukool Lakhina, CEO of BurnBot emphasized that 90% of wildfires are human-caused. This highlights the importance of prevention. The machine consumes 10 to 12 gallons of fuel a day, allowing crews to work efficiently without the need for additional fuel supplies. Ryan Gibson, Regional Manager of Northern California BurnBot explained that treating areas with BurnBot technology improves fire crews’ ability to suppress fires quickly significantly reducing their impact on communities and the environment.
Chief Ryan Sommers of North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District added that this proactive approach not only fortifies communities and critical infrastructure but also helps protect sensitive habitats by removing dead vegetation before the threat of a destructive fire. With BurnBot technology in place, these agencies are taking a collaborative approach to wildfire prevention in the Tahoe-Truckee region while highlighting its importance for both community health and environmental protection.