THOUSAND OAKS — As one of CAL FIRE’s six Contract Counties, the Ventura County Fire Department will begin using Vibrant Planet, an advanced wildfire planning platform designed to improve how hazardous fuel reduction projects are prioritized, planned, and measured.
The new technology combines parcel-level imagery from low-orbit satellites with fire behavior modeling, wildfire history, weather patterns, vegetation, and building data to identify where fuel reduction projects will have the greatest impact on reducing wildfire risk.
By moving beyond traditional metrics, such as the number of acres treated, the platform helps fire agencies identify projects that provide the greatest protection for communities, critical infrastructure, watersheds, and natural resources. The data-driven approach will help ensure that limited wildfire mitigation funding is invested where it can have the greatest impact.
“I’m excited about what this technology can do for Ventura County. It gives us a much clearer picture of where our fuel reduction efforts will have the greatest impact,” said Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner. “By working closely with our local, state, and federal partners, we can make smarter decisions and ensure every dollar we invest in wildfire mitigation helps better protect our communities.”
Chief Gardner also thanked CAL FIRE for its leadership in bringing this innovative planning tool to agencies across California. “I want to thank CAL FIRE Director and Chief Joe Tyler, along with the entire CAL FIRE team, for their vision and investment in this technology. Providing Contract Counties with access to these advanced planning tools reflects a strong commitment to collaboration and science-based decision-making. This investment will help us better protect the people, property, and natural resources of Ventura County for years to come.”
The Vibrant Planet platform will also enable the Ventura County Fire Department and its partners to monitor evolving wildfire conditions, evaluate the effectiveness of completed fuel reduction projects, and continually refine future mitigation strategies. By combining advanced analytics with local knowledge and regional partnerships, the department will be better equipped to reduce wildfire risk and build more resilient communities throughout Ventura County.
To learn more about CAL FIRE’s statewide partnership with Vibrant Planet and how the technology is helping transform wildfire planning across California, visit the Vibrant Planet insights article: “CAL FIRE and Vibrant Planet: A Statewide Partnership to Transform Wildfire Planning“.
Additional information about the wildfire planning platform and its capabilities is available on the Vibrant Planet website.
For more information, please contact the Ventura County Fire Department Public Information Office at (805) 389-9769.