In this episode of Smart Forests Radio, we speak with Dr Waleed “Lee” Haddad, cofounder of BurnBot. BurnBot is a semi-automated mobile technology for facilitating prescribed burns. Through remote control technology, a burn chamber, and other components, the device enables prescribed burning and vegetation thinning to mitigate destructive wildfires, while ensuring minimal smoke production. Lee discusses BurnBot’s role within the emerging FireTech landscape and the infrastructures, practices, and policies related to wildfire risk reduction. He also emphasises the importance of collaboration with government agencies, NGOs, other private initiatives, and Indigenous communities to address the urgent wildfire crisis in California and beyond.

Interviewer: Jennifer Gabrys

Producer: Harry Murdoch

Image: BurnBot