Our Story

Founded in 2020 in response to the devastating Bay Area wildfires, BurnBot emerged from a vision to revolutionize wildfire prevention through innovative technology. Our founders, Dr. Anukool Lakhina and Dr. Waleed Haddad, combined their expertise in computer science and physics to develop groundbreaking solutions for one of our era's most pressing challenges.

What began as a response to turning skies red has evolved into a comprehensive approach to creating fire-resilient landscapes. Today, BurnBot leads the industry in merging advanced technology with stewardship, having successfully treated thousands of acres across California's diverse terrains.

Our Mission

We're dedicated to dramatically scaling up fuel treatments to reduce catastrophic wildfire risk while preserving our natural environments. By thoughtfully combining traditional expertise with innovative technology, we're building lasting capacity in communities to manage their wildfire risk effectively and sustainably.

Our Approach

Every acre tells a story, and we're writing the next chapter in wildfire prevention. Our methodology transforms prescribed burning from an occasional, weather-dependent activity into a reliable, year-round practice that communities can depend on. We achieve this through:

Technology Innovation

Remote-controlled mastication units for precise vegetation management

Remote-controlled burning systems for clean, prescribed burns

Real-time monitoring and data collection

Comprehensive mapping and analysis capabilities

Environmental Stewardship

"Light on the land" operational philosophy

Preservation of native vegetation

Soil health protection

Ecosystem-conscious treatment methods

Community Focus

Local workforce development

Sustainable maintenance programs

Public-private partnerships

Long-term community resilience

Our Experts

Our multidisciplinary team includes:

  • Registered Professional Foresters

  • Certified prescribed burn practitioners

  • Soil scientists

  • Natural resource specialists

  • Fire Behavior Analysts

  • Certified wildland firefighters

  • Technology developers

  • Environmental compliance specialists

Our Team

  • Dr. Waleed "Lee" Haddad | CTO

    Co-founder of BurnBot. PhD Physics, 40+ patents, Lawrence Livermore Labs, Vermeer Corporation

  • Dr. Anukool Lakhina | CEO

    Co-founder of BurnBot. PhD Computer Science, founder & CEO of Guavus (acquired by Thales), co-founder of Wonder Labs.

  • Betsy Kais | CFO

  • James Flanagan | Head of People

  • Brittany Black | Head of Biz Mgmt

  • Stefano Cipollone | Head of Ops

  • James Salazar | Business Development

  • Clint Neumann | Director (Australia)

Our Advisors

  • Chris Anthony

    RPF, Former Chief Deputy Director & Gov Appointee at CAL FIRE

  • Chris Waters

    RPF, Former Division Chief with CAL FIRE.

  • Phil Dye

    20+ years in Rx Fire, RXB2 certified Burn Boss

  • Jared Childress

    Central Coast Prescribed Burn Association

  • Sean Hendrix

    30+ years forest restoration, Grayback Forestry Inc.

  • Dr. Daniel Godwin

    Fire ecology expert. Co-founder, Ember Alliance

Community Commitment

As catastrophic wildfire continues to impact our landscapes, the need for innovative prevention solutions grows more urgent. BurnBot remains committed to expanding our capabilities, refining our technology, and working with communities to create fire-resilient landscapes that endure.

We believe in building lasting capacity within the communities we serve through:

  • Local workforce training and development

  • Long-term maintenance partnerships

  • Sustainable employment opportunities

  • Community education programs

  • Regional economic development