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() As peak wildfire season arrives in California, officials have sought to use new technology to better fight the flames.
Enter the “BurnBot.” Nicknamed the “Roomba of the forest,” it’s a massive, Zamboni-like machine that creates fire breaks lines of charred land that prevent flames from spreading into populated areas.
As the remote-controlled vehicle rolls over the landscape at half a mile per hour, it incinerates the dry vegetation along the way, preventing the brush from otherwise fueling any wildfires.
Though it’s not the fastest way to clear the tinder, it can be operated near homes and highways with no safety risk or disruption to livelihoods, which has historically been a significant problem for wildfire-prone communities.
The robot’s precision has drawn attention from governmental officials, including Rep. Sam Liccardo, D-Calif.
Liccardo last month announced the Wildfire Resilience Partnership, an initiative aimed at bringing federal money to local fire-mitigating organizations, including BurnBot.
“The communities that show they are ready will get funding first,” Liccardo said in a statement. “As we make sure we get federal help, we will also bring partners together.”
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A firefighter battles the Pickett Fire burning in the Aetna Springs area of Napa County, Calif., on Aug. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) -
A lone home stands among residences levelled by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., on Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Noah Berger, File) -
Megan Mantia, left, and her boyfriend Thomas, only first game given, return to Mantia’s fire-damaged home after the Eaton Fire swept through the area, Jan. 8, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope, File) -
Construction workers set up gravel to prevent ground contamination at the grounds of Lario Park to be used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency temporarily for processing hazardous materials from the Eaton Fire, in Irwindale, Calif., Jan. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) -
Firefighter battle the Canyon Fire on Aug. 7, 2025, in Hasley Canyon, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) -
A jungle gym melted and destroyed by the Eaton Fire is seen at a school, Jan. 15, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
BurnBot has raised $20 million in private investments to increase production of its fire-fighting tech. So far, it has built five full-size machines and plans to rapidly increase operations soon. The company is set to create 15 additional vehicles next year, and 50 in 2027.
The idea was sparked by a California computer scientist and a physicist after the 2020 wildfire season devastated the state.
Co-founder Waleed Haddad told that some were initially hesitant about the idea.
“Somebody comes and says, ‘You know, I don’t believe this thing. I mean, why would I need this?'” Haddad said. “And then they see it, and then they’re like, ‘Hey, you know, we have these acres up here, can you come and treat them?’ So those are the best.”
Haddad said his team is working with researchers at Stanford University to investigate how the charred land recovers after being treated by BurnBot machines.
So far, anecdotal evidence shows that after a burn, more fire-resilient native species grow back instead of invasive grasses a sign the BurnBot may lead the way for wildfire prevention in the future.
‘s Anna Kutz contributed to this report.
