California wildfire technology guide
What is FIRIS? California’s real-time wildfire intelligence system explained.
FIRIS combines crewed aircraft, airborne sensors, a fusion center, computing and fire modeling to give responders rapid incident intelligence during wildfires and other emergencies.
Definition
FIRIS stands for Fire Integrated Real-Time Intelligence System.
Cal OES describes FIRIS as an all-hazard resource that uses advanced sensors and computing power aboard crewed fixed-wing aircraft to deliver enhanced incident information within minutes of arriving on scene.
How it works
Aircraft → data → modeling → common operating picture.
Cal OES lists two multi-engine fixed-wing aircraft supporting the statewide FIRIS program.
Airborne sensing gathers perimeter, imagery and other situational information even during fast-moving incidents.
UC San Diego WIFIRE infrastructure supports real-time fire modeling and prediction using incident intelligence.
The common operating platform distributes incident intelligence to responders, coordination personnel and decision-makers.
What it can provide
Perimeters are only one output.
Aircraft data can rapidly improve understanding of the current mapped incident footprint.
Enhanced visual information supports situational awareness for responders and coordination staff.
WIFIRE can use available intelligence to produce modeled fire-growth projections for operational awareness.
Cal OES notes that FIRIS is also used for incidents beyond wildfire, including other emergencies requiring rapid aerial intelligence.
Why acreage changes
Better airborne mapping can revise early estimates.
Early wildfire acreage may begin as a rough estimate. Later aircraft or infrared mapping can refine the perimeter and produce a different acreage—sometimes higher, sometimes lower.
FIRIS vs other aircraft
California has more than one aerial intelligence capability.
FIRIS is managed by Cal OES. CAL FIRE also operates dedicated aerial-intelligence capability, including Intel 641, a King Air platform equipped with heat-sensing and imaging systems. These capabilities may contribute different products to the wider incident intelligence picture.
Sources
California official program information.
CAL FIRE — King Air / Intel 641 aerial intelligence ↗
Published 21 September 2026.