California rolls out new fire-tracking system after deadly January wildfires

John E. Kaye

California is overhauling its aerial firefighting systems after wildfires in January killed 30 people and destroyed more than 18,000 buildings across the south of the state
The new platform, called the CAL FIRE Aviation Tracking and Information System (CATIS), replaces ageing software with a real-time cloud-based system aimed at helping crews respond faster and more effectively from the air.
It is being rolled out by CAL FIRE — the state’s main wildfire agency — in partnership with aviation data firm TracPlus. The system is powered by the company’s FireFlyte software and is already used by fire services in Australia and New Zealand.
CAL FIRE says the system will help streamline dispatch and give commanders a clearer picture of what’s happening on the ground and in the air. It is designed to scale with future needs, including advanced analytics and automation.
The January fires were among the worst California has seen in years, with more than 200,000 people forced to evacuate and over 57,000 acres burned. Fierce Santa Ana winds and extreme drought fuelled the blazes, which destroyed entire neighbourhoods in Los Angeles, Ventura and San Diego counties.
Officials say the new platform won’t stop fires from starting, but it should improve how quickly and effectively crews can deal with them once they break out — especially during large-scale events like those seen earlier this year.
CAL FIRE operates one of the largest aerial firefighting fleets in the world, with more than 60 aircraft including air tankers, helicopters and tactical planes. The new system will track each aircraft in real time and provide mission data to help teams coordinate and review their operations.
Todd O’Hara, Chief Marketing and Product Officer at TracPlus, said: “As California faces increasingly complex wildfires, CAL FIRE recognised that modernising their aviation tracking and information systems would directly enhance their ability to protect communities.
“Built on TracPlus’ FireFlyte platform, CATIS transforms how they capture and utilise critical operational data — from real-time aircraft positioning to comprehensive mission reporting — giving their teams the insights needed to deploy resources more effectively during emergency responses.”
The department responds to around 450,000 emergency incidents a year — including an average of 5,600 wildfires — and drops more than 12 million gallons of water and retardant from the air annually.
Photo: Ryan Grothe
Sign up to The European Newsletter
RECENT ARTICLES
-
Mergers and partnerships drive Africa’s mining boom – but experts warn on long-term resilience
-
New AI breakthrough promises to end ‘drift’ that costs the world trillions
-
Europe tightens grip on strategic space data as dependence on U.S tech comes under scrutiny
-
Trinity Business School study warns conspiracy theories are fueling real-world protest and sabotage
-
GITEX GLOBAL 2025 to spotlight AI’s expanding role in future-critical sectors
-
UK organisations show rising net zero ambition despite financial pressures, new survey finds
-
HumanX to establish permanent European base with 2026 Amsterdam AI summit
-
Gulf ESG efforts fail to link profit with sustainability, study shows
-
Glastonbury and Coachella set the stage for $400bn music tourism growth
-
Geopolitical volatility enters global top ten business risks for first time, new survey finds
-
Redress and UN network call for fashion industry to meet sustainability goals
-
Dar Global unveils $1bn Trump Plaza Jeddah in second Saudi venture with Trump Organization
-
Investors eye UAE as Belt and Road real estate gateway for Asia
-
Mitsubishi Estate’s £800m South Bank scheme to deliver 4,000 jobs
-
Watch: driverless electric lorry makes history with world’s first border crossing
-
Bologna sets pace in Europe’s tech race with record investor–founder meetings
-
Family-owned firms resist board diversity gains despite gender quotas, study finds
-
UK start-up founders defy stereotypes with corporate roots and regional spread
-
London Law Expo 2025 to tackle leadership, AI and integrity in the legal sector
-
Sustainability skills surge in European boardrooms, EY finds
-
UK and U.S unveil landmark tech pact with £250bn investment surge
-
International Cyber Expo to return to London with global focus on digital security
-
Cybersecurity talent crunch drives double-digit pay rises as UK firms count cost of breaches
-
Trinity Business School strengthens standing in global MBA rankings
-
UK backs satellite-AI projects to tackle climate and transport challenges