Napa Firefighters Using Remote-Controlled Mulcher to Reduce Wildfire Danger

BurnBot project aims to strengthen defenses and protect nearby communities

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Napa firefighters are using a remote-controlled mulcher called BurnBot to clear hazardous vegetation along the Hogback Ridgeline near the Napa-Sonoma border, strengthening defenses against wildfires. Funded by the USDA and implemented by Napa Firewise, the project is designed to protect nearby communities such as Angwin and give firefighters safer conditions when future fires threaten.

Why it matters

Napa County has faced numerous devastating wildfires in recent years, with the region's dry climate and dense vegetation posing an ongoing threat to local communities. The BurnBot project aims to proactively reduce fire danger by clearing hazardous fuels, providing a potential model for other fire-prone areas to adopt.

The details

The BurnBot is a remote-controlled mulching machine that can navigate steep, rugged terrain to clear brush and other flammable vegetation. Napa Firewise, a local nonprofit, is overseeing the project, which is funded by a grant from the USDA. The goal is to create a buffer zone along the Hogback Ridgeline, protecting nearby towns like Angwin from the spread of future wildfires.

  • The BurnBot project began in early 2026 and is expected to continue through the summer.
  • Napa Firewise plans to evaluate the project's effectiveness and consider expanding it to other high-risk areas in the county.

The players

Napa Firewise

A local nonprofit organization that works to reduce wildfire risk in Napa County through education, vegetation management, and community engagement.

USDA

The United States Department of Agriculture, which provided funding for the BurnBot project through a grant.

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What they’re saying

“We must do everything we can to protect our communities from the threat of wildfires, and the BurnBot project is an innovative way to strengthen our defenses.”

— Chief John Callanan, Napa Fire Department (Napa Valley Register)

What’s next

Napa Firewise plans to evaluate the BurnBot project's effectiveness over the next year and consider expanding the use of the remote-controlled mulcher to other high-risk areas in the county.

The takeaway

The BurnBot project in Napa County demonstrates how technology and targeted vegetation management can play a crucial role in reducing wildfire risk and protecting local communities. As climate change continues to exacerbate fire danger in California, innovative solutions like this may become increasingly important for fire-prone regions.