Fire and community resource agencies in the Tahoe-Truckee region are actively working to enhance wildfire prevention efforts. Amy Berry, the CEO of Tahoe Fund, emphasized the importance of forest health as the top priority, stating that losing the forest would have detrimental effects on the entire community. To address this issue, 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, which aims to increase the pace and scale of forest restoration.

Anukool Lakhina, the BurnBot CEO, highlighted that 90% of wildfires are human-caused, emphasizing the importance of prevention. The BurnBot machine allows for the reduction of hazardous forest fuels using a remote control, particularly in steep slopes and dense vegetation areas. This proactive approach not only fortifies communities and critical infrastructure but also helps to protect sensitive habitats by removing dead vegetation before the threat of a destructive fire.

Ryan Gibson, the 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 the need for 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 the impact on communities and the environment.

With the implementation of BurnBot technology, fire and community resource agencies in the Tahoe-Truckee region are taking a proactive approach to wildfire prevention, highlighting the importance of forest health and the need for collaborative efforts to protect the community and the environment.