California integrates new wildfire aviation tracking system

TracPlus has announced a partnership with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to introduce a new aviation management system designed to enhance wildfire firefighting efforts.

According to TracPlus, the CAL FIRE Aviation Tracking and Information System (CATIS) replaces CAL FIRE’s previous in-house platform with a software-based solution developed to support faster data handling and improved situational awareness.

TracPlus stated that CATIS is powered by its FireFlyte software and is intended to support CAL FIRE’s operational needs as the 2025 wildfire season approaches.

CATIS replaces legacy CAL FIRE aviation platform

TracPlus reported that CATIS replaces the legacy Aviation Information Management System used by CAL FIRE.

The company explained that the new system streamlines data entry and enables more efficient deployment of aerial firefighting resources.

It added that CATIS includes real-time dashboards and reporting functions that help manage dispatch, tracking, and mission performance evaluation.

TracPlus says new system improves situational awareness

Todd O’Hara, Chief Marketing & Product Officer at TracPlus, said: “CAL FIRE is at the forefront of wildfire aviation operations, and their move to replace an in-house legacy system with CATIS demonstrates their commitment to continued excellence.”

” As California faces increasingly complex wildfires, CAL FIRE recognized that modernizing their aviation tracking and information systems would directly enhance their ability to protect communities.”

” Built on TracPlus’ FireFlyte platform, CATIS transforms how they capture and utilize critical operational data—from real-time aircraft positioning to comprehensive mission reporting—giving their teams the insights needed to deploy resources more effectively during emergency responses.”

Cloud-based platform aligns with international use cases

TracPlus stated that the software is cloud-based and designed to scale in response to the agency’s future operational needs.

The company said the FireFlyte platform is already in use by Australia’s National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC) and Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ).

It noted that by selecting a proven system, CAL FIRE aims to gain both short-term improvements and longer-term benefits in automation and data integration.

CAL FIRE modernises wildfire aviation management with TracPlus system: Summary

TracPlus has partnered with CAL FIRE to deliver a new aviation management system.

The CAL FIRE Aviation Tracking and Information System (CATIS) is powered by TracPlus’ FireFlyte platform.

CATIS replaces CAL FIRE’s legacy aviation data system.

The new system provides real-time dashboards, analytics and flexible reporting tools.

TracPlus said the change supports CAL FIRE’s operational efficiency ahead of the 2025 fire season.

CATIS is designed to streamline dispatch, tracking and mission evaluation processes.

According to TracPlus, the software is cloud-based and scalable.

The company said the platform is already used by NAFC in Australia and FENZ in New Zealand.

Todd O’Hara of TracPlus said CATIS would help CAL FIRE better manage complex wildfire scenarios.

All information in this article was originally published by TracPlus.