Fighting fire together: UC Davis, Placer County partner to build safer future

Just six months after the devastating Palisades, Eaton and Hurst fires that swept across Los Angeles, it's increasingly clear the threat of wildfires is real – and growing. In 2024 alone, California experienced more than 8,000 wildfires that burned more than a million acres, an area roughly the size of Rhode Island, across the state. These fires inflicted a massive toll on government budgets, health and the economy – from tourism to agriculture. The 2025 Los Angeles fires are projected to generate as much as $275 billion in total economic losses. Placer County faces a significant threat from wildfires. The Mosquito Fire in 2022 serves as a stark reminder. It consumed more than 75,000 acres and inflicted more than $180 million in economic damage across Placer and El Dorado counties, underscoring the urgent need for proactive measures. That threat has not diminished. Three-quarters of Placer County is categorized as wildland-urban interface (WUI) land, where homes and wildland vegetation are in close proximity. The county has more habitable structures in the WUI than any other county in the state, and more than half of Placer County is designated as "High" or "Very High" fire hazard by CAL FIRE. This mix of structures and vegetation creates unpredictable fire behavior and dangerous challenges for emergency responders and firefighting crews, who face limited access. It complicates suppression efforts, increasing the potential for catastrophic losses to homes and the land around the county, making wildfires significantly more destructive and costly. At UC Davis, we're committed to addressing this problem head-on. Our research and innovations play a critical role in protecting lives, property and ecosystems in Placer County. We're dedicated to developing new technologies and strategies to prevent wildfires from spreading and mitigate their harmful impacts. UC Davis researchers are on the ground, helping landowners understand how to create a defensible space – by eliminating vegetation, trimming branches, clearing flammable materials and more – around their homes and businesses, stopping or slowing the spread of explosive wildfires and increasing the safety of firefighters deployed to the scene. During the Mosquito Fire, UC Davis firefighters deployed to the county to assist in final fire suppression and monitoring efforts. Researchers at the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center studied the impact of the smoke it generated on the pristine waters of Lake Tahoe. Another powerful example of this partnership is our UC Davis experts' work on the Prescribed Burning on Private Lands project, a partnership with the Placer County Resource Conservation District (RCD) and CAL FIRE. Working with UC Davis alumnus Ted Odell, our expert fire ecologists assessed the land near Auburn in 2022 and advised that a prescribed burn would be the best way to manage the risk at a site vulnerable to fire. Members from our university stepped up to help. When the controlled burn occurred, our researchers, students and other alumni were on the front lines, working alongside Placer RCD and CAL FIRE crews. Moreover, they turned this vital safety work into a community classroom. Neighbors were invited to observe the process, providing a firsthand look at how "good fire," when used responsibly, can create a more resilient and fire-safe landscape for everyone. The Prescribed Burning on Private Lands continues in Placer County today, supported by a three-year CAL FIRE Prevention Grant of $2.19 million last year. Our efforts don't just impact the local area; they reach across the state. We work with partners as a key member of the California Fire Science Consortium. The statewide network of scientists includes federal, tribal, state, local and private stakeholders, where we share the latest wildfire science and develop collaborative strategies to ensure a collective response. And whether it's the California Veterinary Emergency Team from our School of Veterinary Medicine helping evacuate and treat animals during wildfire events, UC Davis Health providing mental health resources and health information for survivors of fires or our Fire Department sending trucks and firefighters to help across the state from Siskiyou to Los Angeles counties, UC Davis is actively involved in supporting many communities in crisis. We're not just responding to wildfires but pioneering cutting-edge research to mitigate their impact. For example, an engineering team is developing a network of sensors designed to detect changes in the chemical composition of the air, allowing drones to detect wildfires hours before conventional human and satellite spotting. This early detection can give firefighters enough time to act before fires become uncontrollable. This research and our ongoing efforts reflect the university's commitment to being an active partner across the region. Protecting our forests, agricultural resources that power our economy, the safety of our homes and businesses, and the health of our families is an effort that unites us all. Wildfire prevention is a community effort. It relies on the bravery of firefighters, the expertise of researchers and the involvement of each of us to minimize risks. I know our experienced team at UC Davis is dedicated to protecting our communities. Gary S. May is UC Davis' seventh chancellor and oversees all aspects of the university's teaching, research and public service mission. He boldly leads the university to new heights in academic excellence, public service, diversity and upward mobility for students from all backgrounds.