Existing law establishes the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and establishes various programs for the prevention and reduction of wildfires.

This bill would establish the Fire Innovation Unit within the department, under the direction of a Deputy Director of Wildfire Innovation, to serve as the department’s innovation arm and the state’s principal hub for wildfire technology research, coordination, procurement, and deployment. The bill would require the unit to consist of the Office of Wildfire Technology Research and Development, the Innovation, Outreach and Coordination Program, and the Rapid Acquisition and Deployment Program, as provided. The bill would authorize the unit to establish and administer a grant program to fund early-stage, mature, or dual-use technology projects that enhance wildfire readiness, mitigation, or response. The bill would also authorize the unit to (1) administer or monitor pilot, prototype, or demonstration projects to evaluate, mature, and validate wildfire-related technologies, (2) collaborate with public and private educational and research institutions on wildfire technology and innovation, (3) establish testbeds to test or evaluate emerging technologies, and (4) provide technical assistance to local, state, federal, and international fire agencies to facilitate deployment of wildfire-related technologies.

This bill would require the department to submit an annual report to the Governor and the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature summarizing certain information related to the unit, including, among other things, the technologies and projects evaluated, tested, or deployed. The bill would require the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection to implement these provisions only upon appropriation. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2033.