Fire and community resource agencies in the Tahoe-Truckee region are coming together to enhance wildfire prevention efforts. Amy Berry, CEO of Tahoe Fund, emphasizes the importance of forest health as a top priority, noting that the loss of the forest would have devastating impacts on the environment and community well-being. The collaboration between 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 has led to the development of BurnBot technology.
Anukool Lakhina, CEO of Burnbot, highlights the significance of human-caused fires and the need for preventative measures to combat them. The BurnBot machine allows for the efficient removal of hazardous forest fuels, with the capacity to cover 2 to 5 acres a day in steep and dense vegetation areas. This technology provides land managers and homeowners with a remote-controlled solution to reduce the risk of wildfires.
The utilization of BurnBot technology not only helps in fortifying critical infrastructure and sensitive habitats but also supports fire crews in their firefighting efforts. Ryan Gibson, Regional Manager of Northern California Burnbot, explains how the machine’s fuel efficiency enables crews to work in remote areas without the need for extensive fuel supplies. Chief Ryan Sommers of North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District emphasizes the importance of pre-treating areas with fuel work to enhance the crew’s ability to quickly suppress fires.
Overall, the introduction of BurnBot technology is a proactive step towards improving wildfire prevention and mitigation in the Tahoe-Truckee region. The collaborative efforts of various agencies and organizations aim to create a more resilient community in the face of the growing threat of wildfires.