About Us

The Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center (WFTIIC) was established by Senate Bill No. 209, Chapter 405, and approved by the Governor on October 2, 2019. It is jointly led by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).

The WFTIIC serves as California’s integrated central organizing hub for wildfire forecasting, weather information, and threat intelligence gathering, analysis, and dissemination. Our primary mission is to collect, assess, and analyze fire weather data, atmospheric conditions, and other threat indicators that could lead to catastrophic wildfires. We develop and share intelligence products for government decisionmakers to reduce the likelihood and severity of wildfire incidents and safeguard the lives, property, and resources of California.

Our vision is to foster a culture of wildfire resilience and readiness in California.

Why We Were Established

Catastrophic wildfires pose an urgent threat to lives, property, and resources across California. The state has experienced a significant increase in destructive wildfires, with fifteen of the 20 most destructive fires in California history occurring since 2000, and ten of those since 2015. This escalating frequency and devastation demand heightened levels of coordination, intelligence sharing, and the utilization of technologies among agencies and organizations to monitor wildfire weather conditions and assess wildfire risk. Furthermore, the increasing use of public safety power shutoffs by investor-owned utilities necessitates state and local governments to prepare for and manage the cascading effects of de-energization activities. The California Emergency Services Act authorizes the Governor and the Office of Emergency Services to coordinate emergency planning, preparedness, and response activities for such emergencies.

Who We Are

The WFTIIC is comprised of representatives from a diverse range of organizations, ensuring comprehensive expertise and coordination:

  • Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
  • Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
  • The Public Utilities Commission
  • California Military Department – FireGuard
  • University of California
  • California State University
  • California Utilities Emergency Association
  • At least one representative of investor-owned utility companies, appointed by the President of the Public Utilities Commission
  • At least one representative of publicly owned utilities, appointed jointly by the Director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection

Other members as designated jointly by the Director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection
Additionally, CalOES and CAL FIRE may invite representatives from the National Weather Service and the United States Forest Service to join the Center.

What We Do

The WFTIIC undertakes several critical functions:

  • Coordination and Data Sharing: We coordinate wildfire threat intelligence and data sharing among federal, state, and local agencies, tribal governments, utilities, service providers, academic institutions, and nongovernmental organizations. This includes sharing intelligence and data from utility wildfire and emergency operations centers, partner academic institutions, and private companies.
  • Intelligence Dissemination: We provide intelligence and data relevant to wildfire threat, forecasting, detection, and prevention activities. This information is shared with entities such as the Northern and Southern California Geographic Area Coordination Centers, the California Wildland Fire Coordinating Group, the National Weather Service, and the State Operations and California State Warning Centers within the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
  • Product Development: We develop intelligence products for use by public and private sector entities engaged in wildfire risk mitigation efforts.

Operational Strategy

The WFTIIC’s operational strategy is designed to improve how wildfire threats are identified, understood, and shared, ultimately reducing threats to California government, businesses, and consumers. This strategy strengthens wildfire emergency preparedness and response, standardizes environmental monitoring and assessment, enhances forecasting and detection capabilities, maximizes the use of science and technology, and expands public knowledge and awareness of wildfire risks.

Our strategy is built upon the following pillars:

  • Intelligence: We gather, aggregate, evaluate, and analyze data in near real-time to provide insights from forecasts, perform fire modeling, and distribute this intelligence to stakeholders. Our mission is focused on collecting, assessing, and analyzing fire weather data and threat indicators to develop and share intelligence products for reducing wildfire likelihood and severity.
  • Product Development: We develop user-friendly, easily shareable, informative, timely, and accurate products that provide unified messaging.
  • Audience | Customers: We address the needs of a wide range of audiences and customers, including decision-makers, first responders, local, state, federal, and tribal governments, as well as public, private, and non-governmental organizations.
  • Technology: We embrace and use technology to leverage advanced tools for better monitoring, forecasting, and communication, continuously incorporating cutting-edge technological advancements into WFTIIC operations.
  • Alliances | Partnerships: We actively engage and build alliances through collaboration with other state, federal, tribal, and academic institutions, and conduct outreach with the broader public.
  • Communication: Our communication efforts are designed to provide situational awareness, enhance public awareness, offer unified messages, and ensure seamless integration across platforms.