Technology
The Department of the Interior pursues technological innovation in order to promote a response to wildland fire that lowers risk for people and communities, increases the efficiency of our efforts, and reduces the overall costs to the American taxpayers.
Two wildland fire engines stand ready to respond to spot fires during a prescribed fire in southern Idaho. The Department of the Interior is working to integrate tracking technology so managers can view the location of resources on an incident in real-time. (DOI/Neal Herbert)
Location Technology
The ability to track the location of people and equipment offers a promising way to increase the efficiency and safety of wildfire management. Having a real-time view of resources on an incident could enable fire managers to adjust their strategy and tactics more quickly as conditions on the ground change. DOI collaborated with the USDA Forest Service to develop requirements for the integration of tracking technology in wildfire operations. In Fiscal Year 2019, the Bureau of Land Management installed and activated 240 satellite terminals on wildland fire engines, dozers, water tenders, and other support vehicles.
Information Technology
Fire managers need reliable information to make good decisions. Modern technology offers exciting new ways to gather and share information. Office of Wildland Fire staff support the consolidation and development of technology that puts the right information in the right hands at the right time. Read more about the Wildland Fire Information and Technology Program.
