The Tahoe-Truckee region is actively working to enhance wildfire prevention efforts, with forest health being the top priority. 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.
Anukool Lakhina, CEO of BurnBot technology, emphasizes that 90% of wildfires are human-caused and highlights the importance of prevention. BurnBot machines use a remote control to reduce hazardous forest fuels in steep slopes and dense vegetation areas. This proactive approach not only protects communities and critical infrastructure but also helps preserve sensitive habitats by removing dead vegetation before a destructive fire threatens them.
Ryan Gibson, Regional Manager of Northern California BurnBot explained that the machine consumes 10 to 12 gallons of fuel a day, allowing crews to work efficiently without needing additional fuel supplies. Chief Ryan Sommers of North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District added that treating areas with BurnBot technology improves fire crews’ ability to suppress fires quickly significantly reducing their impact on communities and the environment.
With this implementation of BurnBot technology in collaboration with other fire and community resource agencies in the region, they are taking a proactive approach to wildfire prevention while emphasizing the importance of forest health for both community protection and environmental preservation.
