VIDEO: One of the first things people will notice is the intense flames being produced in the chamber of a wildfire-managing Burnbot.
Reed Williams, a former U.S. Forest Service firefighter, now a soil and fire expert with the company that makes the Burnbot, said its main job is helping reduce wildfire fuels.
“Inside of this [Burnbot] are 20 propane torches,” Williams said. “That’s what ignites the grass on top. Here, we’ve got two giant fans that suck air upwards and inwards through our bottom. Here, the bottom is called our samurai armor. That’s the skirt that you’re looking at [at the bottom].”
The Burnbot is new tech Cal Fire is testing for wildfire mitigation.
By carving a 10-foot firebreak, Williams said it can prep a safe space for controlled burns or steadily widen the break to utilize on its own, while burning material at 1,500 degrees.
Its standout feature: it can operate on no-burn days because its flames are fully contained, allowing it into otherwise risky areas.
