- Firefighters in California are using a machine called BurnBot.
- The remote-controlled device reduces fire-prone vegetation.
- Research shows it encourages native plants over invasive grasses.
- The innovation was highlighted by the Western Governors Association.
Friday, September 12, 2025 — The Western Governors Association
highlighted a novel wildfire prevention tool in its September 11, 2025 Best of the West report. In California, firefighters have begun deploying BurnBot, a remote-controlled machine that performs safe, precise prescribed burns even in conditions where traditional fire management methods are difficult.
BurnBot resembles a cross between a Zamboni and a tractor trailer. As it moves, the vehicle incinerates the ground beneath it, clearing away dry vegetation that fuels wildfires. Its design makes it especially valuable in populated areas, where traditional prescribed burns carry greater risks and where other vegetation management methods may fall short.
Benefits for Fire-Resilient Landscapes.
Early research suggests that BurnBot’s approach not only reduces dangerous fuel loads but also supports ecological restoration. Areas treated with the machine have shown a stronger return of native plants that are more resistant to fire, while invasive grasses, which are more prone to burning, are less likely to reestablish.
This potential dual benefit—reducing wildfire risk while promoting healthier landscapes—has made BurnBot a promising addition to California’s wildfire management strategy.
From Wildfire Response to Innovation.
BurnBot was founded in 2020, following a devastating wildfire season that turned skies red across the Bay Area. Its co-founders, Dr. Anukool Lakhina and Dr. Waleed Haddad, brought together expertise in computer science and physics to address what they saw as a critical gap in wildfire prevention technology.
What began as a targeted response has grown into a broader mission to create fire-resilient communities. According to company information, BurnBot has already treated thousands of acres across California’s varied terrains. The company’s work demonstrates how technological innovation can be combined with environmental stewardship to meet one of the region’s most pressing challenges.
Growing Interest Across the West.
The Western Governors Association has been tracking such innovations closely, recognizing that fire resilience is central to the future of communities across the West. The inclusion of BurnBot in its Best of the West highlights underscores how wildfire prevention is moving beyond traditional approaches.
While prescribed fire remains one of the most effective ways to reduce fuel loads, tools like BurnBot are offering new options in places where safety or geography make traditional methods difficult.
BurnBot image via Western Governors Association.
