California expands wildfire response five years after record fire year

by Americas - Featured NewsFeatured NewsWildland Fire

Remembering the 2020 wildfire disaster

The Office of Governor Gavin Newsom has reported that California has marked five years since the state’s largest wildfire year on record.

According to the Governor’s office, the August 2020 lightning storm triggered hundreds of fires that burned more than 4.2 million acres over four months.

The fires resulted in 31 deaths, the destruction or damage of over 10,000 structures, and the August Complex surpassing one million acres to become the state’s first “gigafire”.

CAL FIRE relied on local, state, and federal partners including the California National Guard and California Conservation Corps as resources were strained during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governor Gavin Newsom said: “Five years ago, we entered what became California’s biggest wildfire year on record – 31 lives were lost, thousands of homes were destroyed, and countless livelihoods were torn asunder.

“Since then, we’ve been hard at work doubling CAL FIRE’s workforce, building the world’s largest aerial firefighting force, equipping our teams with the latest technologies, and scaling prevention projects by 10x the amount from when I took office.

“We have more to do but there is simply no jurisdiction on the planet that matches the scale and innovation of our efforts to protect people from catastrophic wildfire.”

Expansion of CAL FIRE workforce

The Governor’s office reported that CAL FIRE has added an average of 1,800 permanent and 600 seasonal positions each year since 2019.

The office stated that the peak staffing period for seasonal crews has been extended from six to nine months.

The Governor’s team added that further recruitment is planned over the next four years to expand firefighter and natural resource positions.

According to the office, over 2,500 permanent posts have been created in the past five years.

CAL FIRE has also diversified hand crew programmes to make up for the reduced number of crews available from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Technology and aerial resources

The Governor’s office explained that CAL FIRE has expanded its aviation fleet with 16 Fire Hawk helicopters capable of night flying and water drops.

It added that two C-130 Hercules airtankers are now available for operations.

The office noted that the Fire Integrated Real-Time Intelligence System (FIRIS) provides live fire data to commanders on the ground.

It explained that the system is used to track active wildfires and project spread.

According to the office, CAL FIRE now uses 1,190 ALERTCalifornia cameras equipped with artificial intelligence to identify smoke and fires, often faster than 911 calls.

Intelligence and analysis systems

The Governor’s office reported that the Wildfire Threat Integration and Intelligence Center was established in collaboration with the legislature.

It explained that the centre collects and shares wildfire intelligence with state and local agencies.

The centre provides forecasts and analysis to support decision making during fire events.

Artificial intelligence is used within the system to support predictive wildfire mapping.

The office stated that the technology helps incident commanders by modelling fire growth based on current conditions.

Investments in prevention and resilience

The Governor’s office said that California has invested more than $5 billion in wildfire and forest resilience since 2019.

It added that $135 million was made available this year for prevention programmes, with $72 million distributed to projects.

According to the office, 54 vegetation management projects covering nearly 12,000 acres have been fast-tracked under an emergency proclamation signed in March 2025.

The office stated that the measures are designed to increase community protection and forest resilience in the face of hotter and drier conditions.

The Governor’s office said these efforts reflect ongoing long-term work to increase wildfire readiness.

Federal context and challenges

The Governor’s office contrasted California’s actions with reductions in the U.S. Forest Service under the Trump administration.

It said the federal agency has lost 10% of total positions and 25% of non-response roles.

The Governor’s team added that a proposed reorganisation would close the Pacific Regional Forest Service office and others across the West.

The office stated that these changes could impact wildfire response capacity across California.

The Governor’s office urged residents to prepare evacuation plans, pack emergency supplies, and sign up for local alerts.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

For fire and safety professionals, California’s experience highlights the scale of resource, technology, and planning needed to manage wildfire risk in changing climate conditions.

The investment in staffing, aerial capacity, and intelligence systems shows how state-level coordination can expand operational capability.

The emphasis on prevention programmes and vegetation management illustrates how long-term mitigation strategies must operate alongside response measures.

The developments also reflect the growing importance of predictive tools and artificial intelligence in managing fast-moving incidents.

California expands wildfire response five years after record fire year: Summary

The Office of Governor Gavin Newsom reported that California marked five years since the 2020 wildfire disaster.

The August 2020 lightning storm caused more than 4.2 million acres to burn.

The wildfires killed 31 people and destroyed or damaged over 10,000 structures.

The August Complex became the first “gigafire” in California history.

CAL FIRE has added more than 2,500 permanent positions since 2019.

Seasonal staffing has been extended from six to nine months.

The state expanded its aviation fleet with 16 Fire Hawks and two C-130 Hercules.

The FIRIS programme now provides real-time fire data to incident commanders.

California installed 1,190 AI-enabled ALERTCalifornia cameras for fire detection.

A Wildfire Threat Integration and Intelligence Center now provides forecasts and analysis.

The state invested more than $5 billion in wildfire and forest resilience since 2019.

Fifty-four vegetation management projects covering 12,000 acres were fast-tracked in 2025.

The Governor’s office contrasted these efforts with cuts to the U.S. Forest Service.

It warned that federal reductions could affect wildfire response in California.

Residents were urged to prepare evacuation plans, go bags, and register for alerts.

Vallfirest introduces Gorgui Xtreme forestry tool for enhanced efficiency

by Featured NewsProductsWildland Fire

Vallfirest’s new design increases efficiency

Vallfirest has introduced the Gorgui Xtreme, a redesigned multifunctional tool for forestry teams.

As reported by Vallfirest, the new tool aims to increase efficiency and versatility in forestry operations.

The Gorgui Xtreme is designed to improve the working area of the broad hoe and enhance tool balance, resulting in smoother and more effective movements.

The design incorporates features from previous versions of Vallfirest’s tools to better adapt to various challenges.

The updated blade placement and balance are key improvements intended to boost performance in the field.

Enhanced adaptability for different tasks

The Gorgui Xtreme offers two types of blades to cater to different working styles and fuel types.

The rake multifunction option has a smaller impact surface for easier dragging, while the McLeod multifunction option is better suited for scraping and dragging.

This versatility allows users to select the best blade for their specific needs.

Additionally, the Gorgui Xtreme is designed for multifunctionality, enabling forestry teams to perform multiple tasks with a single tool.

This can save time and increase efficiency, particularly in critical situations where speed is essential.

Various handle options for different conditions

The Gorgui Xtreme also provides multiple handle options to adapt to different terrains and vegetation types.

Users can choose from wood, fiber, and detachable aluminium handles, each offering unique benefits.

This adaptability ensures that the tool can be used effectively in a range of environments, from high mountains to unpredictable scenarios.

Vallfirest’s Gorgui Xtreme is designed to meet the demands of modern forestry teams, providing a versatile and efficient solution for various operational challenges.

Understanding the critical role of a five-foot clearance around homes in wildfire safety

by AmericasFeatured NewsSafetyWildland Fire

The significance of the Home Ignition Zone in reducing wildfire risks

A detailed analysis from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) emphasises the pivotal role a five-foot zone around one’s home plays in enhancing safety from wildfires.

The association, noted for its efforts in raising awareness about reducing homes’ wildfire risks, recently revisited the concept of the home ignition zone and its immediate area.

Here is the NFPA’s latest blog post detailing the home ignition zone concept for those new to the idea.

Origins of the Home Ignition Zone and its primary components

The Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) is an idea pioneered by retired USFS researcher Dr. Jack Cohen.

The theory focuses on the premise that the condition of a home, including the materials it’s built from and its maintenance state, as well as the vegetation within a hundred feet, greatly affects its potential to catch fire during a wildfire.

The combined research by Dr. Cohen and the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) underpins that the immediate zone or non-combustible zone – the home and its surroundings up to five feet – is the most significant risk factor and should therefore be the starting point in mitigating risks.

The importance of a five-foot buffer in wildfire safety

Embers and small surface flames are the primary causes of home ignition during wildfires.

To prevent these, a five-foot buffer is created around the home to ensure embers or surface fires cannot reach it. This involves:

  • Clearing debris such as leaves, needles, and branches from roofs and gutters.
  • Ensuring the immediate five feet around the base of homes and attached structures, like decks, is devoid of any debris and well-maintained.
  • Substituting wooden mulch products with non-combustible alternatives like crushed stone or gravel.
  • Constructing walkways using non-combustible materials like concrete or pavers.
  • Pruning trees and shrubs next to the home to prevent them from overhanging the roof, gutters, or chimneys.

For additional tips and resources on preparing homes for wildfires, visit the NFPA’s dedicated page.

A small investment in time spent on such preventive measures can significantly improve a home’s chances of withstanding a wildfire, and provide greater peace of mind.

IFSJ Comment

The exploration of the Home Ignition Zone concept and its correlation with wildfire safety highlights a key preventive measure homeowners can adopt.

By focusing on the immediate surroundings of their homes, residents can drastically reduce wildfire risk, reinforcing community safety and resilience against such disasters.

About NFPA

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a global, non-profit organisation devoted to eliminating death, injury, property, and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards.

NFPA provides a wealth of resources to better educate residents about reducing the risk of wildfires to their homes.

Their commitment to research, training, and providing necessary resources reflects their mission to enhance public safety.

Oregon delays release of next wildfire risk map

by Featured NewsWildland Fire

The Oregon Legislature has said it will be considering a number of recommendations for changes related to the state-wide wildfire risk map during the 2023 session, some of which would substantively change the map itself.

Following conversations last week with the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire Programs Advisory Council, the state has decided to postpone the release of an updated draft of the map, which was planned for March 2023.

Cal Mukumoto, Oregon State Forester and director of the Oregon Department of Forestry, explained: “As we’ve been working with Oregon State University on technical adjustments to the map and planning for community outreach and engagement, we’ve also been keeping a close eye on the policy conversations happening in different venues.

“There were some great recommendations that came out of the Wildfire Programs Advisory Council’s first annual report and opportunities identified by Wildfire Programs Director Doug Grafe related to the map that I hope the Legislature gets the opportunity to explore during this session.”

These recommendations are in addition to several bills proposing a variety of changes ranging from which areas are assigned a risk classification to abolishing the map entirely. “We want to avoid expending resources on work that may not align with new direction that may come from the Legislature this session,” Mukumoto said.

Members of both the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and the Wildfire Programs Advisory Council expressed support for continued mapping of wildfire hazards to identify where to direct investments in wildfire mitigation activities including fuels reduction and building defensible space.

“Our goal this session is to get resources and expertise to Oregonians already doing good work on the ground to protect their properties and neighborhoods,” said Senator Jeff Golden (D), Ashland. Golden chairs the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and was the chief sponsor of SB 762.

“It’s important to get that done and to do all we can to ease the homeowner insurance challenges that the era of megafires has brought us before moving forward with any map.”

Mark Bennett, chair of the Wildfire Programs Advisory Council, recognised the broad recognition of the need for increased outreach, education and engagement with communities: “We need an integrated, coordinated and robust communications and outreach effort across all Senate Bill 762 programs to help property owners understand what their classification means, how they can better protect their homes and what resources are available to help them with that work.”

OSU, ODF’s partner in the development of the map, will lend technical expertise to upcoming educational efforts related to wildfire risk and hazard. Tom DeLuca, dean of OSU’s College of Forestry, said: “We are prepared to support state agencies in education plans and will help develop and implement an operational plan as needed.”

Other state agencies with SB 762 responsibilities that have a nexus to the map are Office of the State Fire Marshal, Department of Consumer and Business Services – Building Codes Division and the Department of Land Conservation and Development.

Senator Golden added: “The success of this whole program depends on strong collaboration between state government, local leaders and property owners in wildfire-prone areas. Building that partnership has to be job number one over the coming months.

“When we feel like we’re pulling in the same direction, we’ll be ready for a much better conversation about the map.”