The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection announces it is proud to have received two awards at the recent California Government Innovation Summit in Sacramento. Cal Fire received the Best of California Customer Experience Award for its official website, fire.ca.gov, and Best Workforce Initiative Award for joincalfire.com.
The fire.ca.gov website reflects Cal Fire’s mission to serve and safeguard the people and resources of California, said the agency. The new website platform is built on user-centered design principles, aiming to offer a streamlined, mobile-friendly experience that ensures critical wildfire and emergency information is accessible to all Californians — anytime, anywhere.
Official website
Key features of the new fire.ca.gov site include
- Real-time incident information: Enhanced dashboards provide up-to-date statistics on emergency responses, wildfires, acres burned and structural damage.
- Comprehensive mapping tools: Interactive maps now display detailed incident summaries, evacuation zones and resource deployments for fires over 10 acres.
- Aircraft and camera integration: Live tracking of Cal Fire aircraft and ALERTCalifornia camera feeds is available to the public and media.
- Developer access: Open data formats allow integration into third-party applications, supporting innovation and collaboration across sectors.
- Americans with Disabilities Act–compliant internal portal: A new backend system empowers public information officers to publish timely, accurate and accessible updates directly to the site.
The redesign also introduces a multilingual chatbot that enables automated two-way communication, real-time translation and a user-friendly interface — ensuring language is no longer a barrier accessing fire prevention and safety information, said Cal Fire. The chatbot can answer questions based on any information on the fire.ca.gov website, from home hardening and defensible space to information on Cal Fire’s Reforestation Services Program.
“Fire.ca.gov is more than a website — it’s a lifeline,” said Scott Gregory, deputy director of technology at Cal Fire. “This redesign ensures that every Californian, regardless of language or location, has access to the information they need to stay safe and informed.”
The fire.ca.gov website continues to see significant engagement, with millions of visits from California and around the world. As California continues to face an increasingly complex wildfire threat year-round, Cal Fire remains committed to leveraging technology to protect lives, property and natural resources, said the agency.
Recruitment website
Cal Fire’s new joincalfire.com site is designed as a central hub for anyone interested in pursuing a career with California’s fire and emergency response agency. With opportunities spanning firefighting, resource management, aviation, communications, technology, planning and administrative support, joincalfire.com highlights the wide range of roles that keep the department moving forward.
As California faces growing wildfire threats and increased demand for emergency services, the need for dedicated professionals has never been greater, says the agency. Backed by state investment, Cal Fire has steadily expanded its workforce in recent years, adding thousands of full-time and seasonal positions. In the years ahead, the department pledges to continue to hire firefighters, natural resource experts and support staff to strengthen wildfire resilience and emergency response statewide.
More information is available at fire.ca.gov and joincalfire.com.
