One constant since the beginning of time is change. However, the fear of change is also a constant. Since time immemorial, humans have liked routine. It makes us feel in control of our lives. We could understand the concept of “the fire season.” It made sense. In thinking on how to best introduce our November newsletter, the words of the late great Alan Watts came to mind, who said “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” You might be asking yourself, “where is he going with this, what is the connection to a newsletter about wildfire?”

Here is the nexus. Climate change is making the fire season in the western United States both warmer and drier. It’s right there in the name—Climate Change. If we are going to get the upper hand on catastrophic wildfire, we need to move with it, join the dance, and understand these changes so we can utilize an evidenced based approach to adapt.

"Climate Extremes: At The Abyss?" is now available for viewing. This new documentary film discusses the complexity of Earth system dynamics on a warming planet--including the rising risk of reaching dangerous "tipping points." Especially given the unfolding events with recent floods in Spain and the current catastrophic wildfire in Southern California. conversations surrounding the in recent days, I strongly encourage folks to check this out! Thanks to Climate Scientist Daniel Swain for making me aware. View it here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8pLrRkqbb0

Researchers from the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC), part of the School of Computing, Information and Data Sciences (SCIDS) at UC San Diego, have launched a new initiative to advance science and technology that addresses wildland fire challenges in an era of more frequent and devastating megafires. The Wildfire Science & Technology Commons will be a central hub for data, models, computing resources, and expertise to enable wildland fire researchers to collaborate with each other and practitioners to move quickly from theoretical ideas and experimental workflows to impactful, scalable real-world solutions. It will advance firetech by quickly moving research workflows into production through a community of practice, data standards and innovation pathways centered around open data, cutting-edge science and AI. Watch the October 28th launch event webinar here:  Introducing the Wildfire Science & Technology Commons https://youtu.be/pPREv4-kxj0?feature=shared You can find the slides here. Santa Clara County FireSafe is looking forward to participating in this project.

We are proud to have offered our support for Supervisor Otto Lees’s referral in support of item #25 on the November 5, 2024, Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors’ meeting agenda. This referral would direct the Administration to report on options for supporting private homeowners in fireproofing their properties, including rebates and no-cost options for measures such as screening vents, installing multi-pane windows, and removing flammable vegetation and flora, among others. I am pleased to say it was approved, and that I spoke in favor of this at the BOS meeting and offered a written Letter of Support as well. Thank you to Supervisor Lee and this staff for their work on this critical topic.

I am excited to announce that in collaboration with our partners at Stanford University, Woodside Fire Protection District, Palo Alto Fire and N5 Sensors, we will jointly host a firefighter and researcher from the UK in 2026 to help them learn about US wildfire practices, research initiatives, and an understanding of how we utilize N5 Sensors wildfire technology and if these might be valuable to export and incorporate to the UK. Of course, we will learn the same of their wildfire work in the UK. She will spend time with the FireSafe Council touring the Forest Health Grant work, touring the SCU & CZU burn scar, touring some of our fuel break and Hazardous Fuels Reduction projects and meeting with CAL FIRE to discuss respective wildfire practices and response. Looking forward to taking FireSafe worldwide in 2026. Thank you to our collaboration partners for helping support and facilitate this endeavor.

Finally, on November 12, along with FireSafe Board Chair Dede Smullen, I attended the Red Sky Summit, the premier gathering of wildfire thought leaders who share a common objective: To develop and scale innovative, technology-based solutions to our wildfire crisis. Attendees are a diverse set of leaders and include members of the fire service, foresters, practitioners, technology entrepreneurs, utility and insurance executives, philanthropists, non-profit leaders, researchers, and elected officials. It was an opportunity to spend time with friends and partners, leaving us more energized about the work we do. Shout-out to Bill Clerico, the Connective Capital team and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation for bringing this event to life. In its second year, it already is the go-to gathering for wildfire practitioners, entrepreneurs and thought leaders!

Let me turn it over the the FireSafe team. We are finishing 2024 on a high note and it’s because of our staff and board that we have been able to achieve and surpass many of our goals for the year. Grateful to be part of our organization.

Yours truly,



Seth Schalet

CEO, Santa Clara County FireSafe Council