CAL FIRE Partners with TracPlus to Launch CATIS, a Next-Generation Platform for Wildfire Response

New System Replaces Legacy Tools with Streamlined Data Capture, Real-Time Insights, and Modern Aviation Analytics

TracPlus, a global leader in mission-critical intelligence for aerial firefighting, today announced its strategic partnership with CAL FIRE to launch the CAL FIRE Aviation Tracking and Information System (CATIS)—a next-generation aviation management platform designed to support the agency’s expanding operations and evolving mission needs. Powered by TracPlus’s FireFlyte software, CATIS replaces the agency’s internally developed legacy system with a faster, more flexible, and insight-driven solution.

As the 2025 fire season approaches, CAL FIRE is taking a proactive step to modernize its systems. CATIS replaces CAL FIRE’s legacy Aviation Information Management System with a more flexible and scalable platform that streamlines data entry, enhances situational awareness, and supports smarter resource deployment. With a proven track record of leading the charge in wildfire management, CAL FIRE continues to set the standard for public safety agencies by evolving its operations to meet new demands.

This upgrade reflects CAL FIRE’s continued leadership in wildfire management and commitment to operational excellence. With real-time dashboards, flexible reporting, and advanced analytics, CATIS delivers a scalable foundation for the agency’s future, transforming how aerial operations management is conducted across dispatch, tracking, and performance evaluation. The system is built to grow with the agency’s future needs, laying the foundation for more advanced analytics, automation, and insight generation.

“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,” said Todd O’Hara, Chief Marketing & Product Officer at TracPlus. “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.”

By choosing a cloud-based solution with proven success at agencies like Australia’s NAFC and New Zealand’s FENZ, CAL FIRE gains both immediate operational benefits and a platform that will evolve with its future needs. For more information about TracPlus’s enterprise solutions for aerial firefighting, visit fireflyte.com.

About CAL FIRE

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is the state’s primary wildland firefighting agency, protecting over 31 million acres of California’s privately owned wildlands. With nearly 9,000 firefighters and staff, CAL FIRE responds to more than 450,000 emergency incidents annually, including an average of 5,600 wildland fires that burn approximately 172,000 acres each year. The Department operates one of the world’s largest aerial firefighting fleets, comprising over 60 aircraft, including air tankers, helicopters, and tactical airplanes, which deliver more than 12 million gallons of retardant and water annually. In addition to emergency response, CAL FIRE implements comprehensive fire prevention programs that help safeguard more than 850,000 homes across the state’s most vulnerable communities.

For more information, visit fire.ca.gov.

About TracPlus

TracPlus delivers mission-critical intelligence that transforms aerial firefighting operations worldwide. Our platform integrates real-time tracking, operational reporting, and advanced analytics to help agencies and operators deploy resources more efficiently, enhance safety, and achieve better outcomes. With over 880 million position reports and 10 million flight hours of data captured over 15 years, TracPlus provides unmatched operational insight that drives better mission outcomes when lives and property are at stake. Additionally, in 2024, over 171 million liters of drops were recorded in our software. Trusted by 700 organizations across 44 countries, we serve leading aerial firefighting agencies including Australia’s NAFC and New Zealand’s FENZ. Our approach creates a unified operational view across all assets, enabling real-time decision-making and post-mission analysis that measurably improves response times, resource allocation, and firefighting effectiveness.

For more information, visit tracplus.com or fireflyte.com.