The Cal Fire Aviation Tracking and Information System is the state's latest effort to improve its firefighting management systems after last January's devastating Los Angeles blazes.

Kern County, California, Deputy Fire Chief Zachary Wells and Esri's Ryan Lanclos say ALERTCalifornia's new map layer  strengthens emergency management and improves community safety.

New technologies are aiding the battle against the blazes in Southern California, but high winds limit the use of drones, said one fire official.

Marcus Hernandez, a California deputy fire chief who leads the Office of Wildfire Technology Research and Development, shares how new technologies enter the field.