Climate & Wildfire Institute

Innovations in technology are not a silver bullet for solving our climate and wildfire challenges. However, they can go a long way in improving one critical facet of these challenges: capacity. Improving capacity for fuel treatment projects is a core objective for Silicon Valley tech companies like Kodama Systems and BurnBot, Inc., according to a recent article by The New York Times. Fuel treatments, such as thinning or prescribed burning, refer to methods used to manage and reduce the amount of flammable material or “fuels” in forests, grasslands, and other ecosystems. Reducing the amount of fuels can help limit the spread and severity of fires, making them less destructive and easier to manage. Kodama Systems is making mechanical thinning operations more efficient by automating machinery, implementing teleoperations, and bolstering remote-site connectivity. BurnBot, on the other hand, is enabling prescribed burns at scale through remote-operated prescribed burning machines. Kodama, BurnBot, and other tech companies are working to scale up fuel treatment efforts so that we can cover more ground more often, before fires even begin. As Kate Dargan Marquis, senior advisor for the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation's Wildfire Resilience Initiative, explains, “There aren’t enough hands… Where technology can help assist human production capability, it’s really important.” Learn more: https://lnkd.in/edrMjAh4 #climateandwildfire #wildfireprevention #wildfireresilience #climateresilience #climatetech #climateaction #forestmanagement #forestrestoration #fueltreatment #thinning #prescribedburns #techinnovation #siliconvalley

Our very first webinar – “From Software to Satellites: Harnessing Big Data for Wildfire Resilience” – is now live. Thank you to everyone who was able to attend last week’s session. Special thanks to Muon Space's Cathy Olkin and Vibrant Planet's Mike Koontz for an engaging discussion around how easy-to-integrate, low-friction data and radical collaboration across different sectors is critical to meeting our current and future wildfire challenges. Visit our website (www.climateandwildfire.org) or YouTube channel (https://lnkd.in/g7BXs36e) to view the full recording. #climateandwildfire #webinar #virtual #climateresilience #wildfireresilience #wildfiremanagement #data #bigdata #firedata #satellitedata #innovation #radicalcollaboration #muonspace #vibrantplanet

We are thrilled to announce the arrival of our new Executive Director, Marissa Christiansen. Beginning September 3rd, Marissa will assume responsibilities from our Interim Executive Director, Bethany Hannah, as Bethany transitions back to her longstanding role as Deputy Director, Operations & External Affairs, for CWI. Marissa joins us at a pivotal time for the Climate & Wildfire Institute (CWI), bringing a seamless blend of expertise in nonprofit leadership and proven success in strategic planning to steer CWI through its next phase of growth. With decades of experience dedicated to creating a more resilient future, she will build on the foundation that CWI has established at the intersection of climate and wildfire science, policy, and practice. A well-known water leader across Southern California, Marissa brings a wealth of experience tackling complex climate issues to sustain a safe, habitable future for all Californians. Most recently serving as Water Table Director for Water Foundation, she led a national funder collaborative that has pooled more than $500 million in strategic philanthropic investments for an equitable and sustainable water future in the US. Prior to The Water Foundation, Marissa served as President and Chief Executive Officer at Friends of the Los Angeles River, where she led the organization through a high-profile transition and evolved its focus to prioritize climate and equity. She has held various roles in policy, advocacy, and development at XPRIZE, City of Redondo Beach, and the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, among others. She currently sits on the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, where she has served since 2021. She earned a Master of Urban Planning from the University of Southern California. Under Marissa’s leadership, CWI will continue to strengthen its presence as a pivotal boundary organization, putting science into action to build climate and wildfire resilience. We look forward to the fresh perspectives, dynamic energy, and visionary leadership she will bring to CWI. Join us in extending a warm welcome to Marissa Christiansen. #climateandwildfire #welcometotheteam #staffannouncement #staffupdate #teamupdate #executivedirector #executiveleadership #nonprofitleadership #leadershiptransition #climateresilience #wildfireresilience #climatechange #science #policy #practice

Last call to register for this week’s webinar – “From Software to Satellites: Harnessing Big Data for Wildfire Resilience” – on Wednesday, 8/28 at 10 AM PT. From Muon Space's FireSat constellation to Vibrant Planet's Land Tender software, there’s immense investment happening right now to drive forward industry-leading solutions that will ease efforts to improve wildfire resilience on-the-ground. Join our webinar to learn more about how two industry experts – Dr. Cathy Olkin, VP of Infrared Missions and Data at Muon Space, and Dr. Mike Koontz, Lead Scientist, Ecological Modeling & Climate Change at Vibrant Planet – are navigating the successes and challenges of managing and sharing big data and technology across local, national, and global scales. Register here: https://lnkd.in/e6Uttshr #climateandwildfire #software #satellites #bigdata #wildfireresilience #muonspace #firesat #vibrantplanet #landtender #technology #solutions #industryknowledge #webinar #virtual

A hotter, drier climate not only impacts the frequency and severity of wildfires, but also impacts a slew of other consequences we may often overlook. Solar power generation, for example, is easily hindered by wildfire smoke, as illustrated by a recent article in Reuters last month. “In addition to being hampered by hazy air that blocks some of the sun's rays before they can be converted to electricity within the panels, solar farms can also be affected by ash and dust coatings and can sometimes be destroyed directly by fires,” the article states. From July 12-15, average solar generation slumped to around 6,350 MWh due to thick haze, which marked a roughly 23% drop from the July 1-10 average and was also below the same days in 2023, according to Reuters. To make up for the solar setback, California Independent System Operator (CAISO) power firms increased natural gas-fired generation by around 10% during July 12-15 from the July 1-10 average, but then lowered gas output again once solar output rebounded. From intense wildfires to diminished solar production, many facets of our new climate reality are intertwined. As these impacts intensify, we must continue to prioritize science-backed approaches that reduce both direct and indirect consequences of catastrophic wildfires and smoke and improve our climate resilience. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dPjfcWB3 #climateandwildfire #climate #wildfire #smoke #solar #solarpower #solarenergy #renewableenergy #wildfireimpacts #climateimpacts #climatechange #climateadaptation #climateresilience

Have you heard? CWI is hosting its very first webinar on wildfire data and technology later this month. “From Software to Satellites: Harnessing Big Data for Wildfire Resilience” will address how we can harness the power of big data to optimize wildfire management and response, while also responsible sharing and maintaining equitable access to information. Moderated by CWI, the one-hour webinar will feature a panel discussion with Dr. Cathy Olkin, VP of Infrared Missions and Data at Muon Space, and Dr. Michael Koontz, Lead Scientist, Ecological Modeling & Climate Change at Vibrant Planet. Tune in on Wednesday, August 28th at 10 AM PT to learn more about Vibrant Planet’s Land Tender software, Muon Space’s newly-announced FireSat Constellation, and other innovative solutions shaping the future of wildfire resilience across the nation. Register here: https://lnkd.in/e6Uttshr #climateandwildfire #webinar #data #technology #solutions #bigdata #responsibledata #equitabledata #wildfiremanagement #wildfireresponse #wildfireresilience #muonspace #vibrantplanet #landtender #firesat

Pre-fire planning, a critical phase that takes place just prior to a prescribed burn, is essential to a well-informed, organized approach to intentional fire. To ensure the safety and effectiveness of any prescribed burn, this phase often features a variety of steps, including but not limited to: - Monitoring fuels to determine potential intensity and spread of fire - Checking local weather conditions to evaluate wind speed, humidity, temperature, and other factors that influence fire behavior - Checking moisture levels to gauge dampness or dryness of vegetation - Capturing baseline imagery of the environment pre- and post-burn to evaluate effectiveness  - Developing a burn plan which clearly outlines the objectives, boundaries, and safety measures of the burn In a recent conversation with the Worlds Apart: An Alliance of Outcasts to Tame Wildfires Podcast, our Interim Executive Director Bethany Hannah describes the collaborative pre-fire planning process behind CWI’s Teakettle Prescribed Burn project. Referencing satellites, automated weather stations, BurnBot, Inc.’s remote masticators, and other wildfire innovations, she has observed increasing opportunities to leverage the latest in data and technology solutions to support pre-fire scenarios.  “We’re all capable of bringing value to the table,” explains Hannah, “So my advice… would be to recognize your own voice in this conversation.” Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gHQVf6JR Funding for the Teakettle Prescribed Burn project was provided by the CAL FIRE’s Forest Health Program as part of the California Climate Investments Program. Visit our website for more details: https://lnkd.in/gxUvHHUf #climateandwildfire #teakettleprescribedburn #CALFIRE_ForestHealth #CAClimateInvestments #wildfire #prefire #planning #prescribedburn #fuelsmonitoring #firebehavior #fireimagery #burnplan #firetechnology #fireinnovation

How can we harness the power of big data to optimize wildfire management and response, while also responsibly sharing and maintaining equitable access to information? We’ve got some ideas. Join us on Wednesday, August 28th at 10 AM PT for the launch of our first webinar – “From Software to Satellites: Harnessing Big Data for Wildfire Resilience” – alongside Muon Space's Dr. Cathy Olkin and Vibrant Planet's Dr. Michael Koontz. This panel discussion will address how cutting-edge solutions, from on-the-ground visualization, planning, and monitoring tools to space-based infrared instruments, are shaping the future of wildfire resilience in California and beyond. RSVP today: https://lnkd.in/d73M5yPG #climateandwildfire #muonspace #vibrantplanet #webinar #wildfiremanagement #wildfireresponse #wildfireresilience #data #technology #software #satellites #innovation

CWI is in search of qualified archeological contractors with knowledge and experience in conducting landscape-level archeological surveys and reporting to support 1) Archeological Oversight Services and 2) Archaeological Survey Services for our Teakettle Prescribed Burn project. Join us today (August 9th) for two proposal meetings to learn more about each RFP and how to apply: Archaeological Oversight Services: 11 AM PT https://lnkd.in/gJFeeJYE Archeological Survey Services: 1 PM PT https://lnkd.in/gJFeeJYE Both proposals are due no later than August 25, 2024 at 5PM PT. For more information, please visit our opportunities page:  https://lnkd.in/gbN-jEps Funding for the Teakettle Prescribed Burn project was provided by the CAL FIRE’s Forest Health Program as part of the California Climate Investments Program. Visit our website for more details: https://lnkd.in/gxUvHHUf #climateandwildfire #teakettleprescribedburn #CALFIRE_ForestHealth #CAClimateInvestments #prescribedfire #foresthealth #wildfireresilience #archeologicaloversight #archeologicalsurvey #archeologicalcontractors #proposalmeetings #callforproposals #rfp

The Teakettle Prescribed Burn, a project of CWI, is a planned landscape-scale prescribed fire on the Western slope of the Sierra Nevada that will set a precedent for future substantial burns within California and beyond. CWI is excited to announce two new requests for proposals (RFPs) for this project: 1) Archeological Oversight Services and 2) Archaeological Survey Services. We will also be hosting two proposal meetings via Zoom this Friday, August 9 to share more information about each RFP and how to apply. Additional details for each RFP and their respective proposal meetings are listed below.  Archaeological Oversight Services: The successful applicant(s) will work with the Sierra National Forest for required permitting, conduct background research, develop survey plans, attend required meetings, provide data to archeological surveying services contractor(s), provide QA/QC of archaeological surveying services implementation, and complete required reporting. Join us on 8/9 at 11 AM PT for the Archeological Oversight Services Proposal Meeting: https://lnkd.in/gJFeeJYE Archeological Survey Services: The successful applicant(s) will complete needed surveys, marking (physical and/or virtual), and report writing associated with the Teakettle Experimental Forest. Join us on 8/9 at 1 PM PT for the Archeolocial Survey Services Proposal Meeting: https://lnkd.in/gJFeeJYE Both proposals are due no later than August 25, 2024 at 5PM PT. For more information, please visit our opportunities page:  https://lnkd.in/gbN-jEps Funding for the Teakettle Prescribed Burn project was provided by California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)'s Forest Health Program as part of the California Climate Investments Program. Visit our website for more details: https://lnkd.in/gxUvHHUf #climateandwildfire #teakettleprescribedburn #CALFIRE_ForestHealth #CAClimateInvestments #prescribedfire #sierranevada #californiaforests #foresthealth #forestrestoration  #forestresilience #wildfireresilience #wildfiremanagement #archeologicaloversight #archeologicalsurvey #contractingopportunities #callforproposals #rfp