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Data Workshop Explores Use of AI to Advance L.A. Wildfire Recovery

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California Wildfires

Firefighters attack the Hughes Fire as it burns in Southern California in January 2025, one of several fires that broke out during the month in the Los Angeles area. The region continues to recover from the devastating blazes. (Photo by Doug Morrison/Los Angeles County Fire Department)
By Jordyn Isaacs

Researchers, response agencies, and private sector data providers converged last week at the office of the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County for a “Smart Recovery in Los Angeles” workshop. The event focused on how data and artificial intelligence can play a crucial role in building smarter, more resilient communities in the aftermath of the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires.

Organized by Direct Relief, the workshop brought together thought leaders to address the urgent need for recovery following widespread displacement, toxic smoke exposure, and the region’s ongoing housing and insurance crisis. Andrew Schroeder, Direct Relief’s Vice President of Research and Analysis, led the discussions, highlighting how data and technology can be used to better understand who was impacted, how individuals were displaced, and what long-term support is needed, particularly for vulnerable communities.

Workshop participants represented NASA, Mapillary, Harvard University, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and Department of Public Health, Meta AI for Good, Watch Duty and CrisisReady. These healthcare, geoscience, mobile technology, data analysis and AI leaders continue to explore how technology can improve wildfire response in Los Angeles. 

“Most of us have participated in disaster drills or emergency simulations at some point, especially in healthcare or emergency management — it’s fairly standard,” Schroeder said. “But what we’ve been exploring is how to evolve those exercises to better reflect real-world complexities.”

The full-day workshop, available both online and in person, featured diverse sessions ranging from infrastructure analysis and disaster preparedness to environmental issues and chronic disease. Discussions also delved into a broader shift in disaster preparedness thinking, moving beyond immediate response to consider long-term impacts.

The group discussed the use of satellite and aerial data, including Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite, or VIIRS, to monitor wildfire progression and identify active fire hotspots. These capabilities, combined with AI-driven analysis, enhance the accuracy and speed of disaster assessments, supporting more effective response and recovery efforts.

A workshop, led by Direct Relief, convened at the Community Clinics Association of Los Angeles County earlier this month to strategize about long-term recovery in the region and future wildfire resilience. (Shannon Hickerson/Direct Relief)

Earlier this year, Schroeder worked with Harvard’s Institute for Climate and Sustainability to run a heat emergency simulation — not for first responders, but for professors across disciplines: engineering, design, medicine, even divinity. “It forced a very different kind of conversation,” he said.

The Harvard simulation was designed to be deliberately unconventional, pushing participants to consider a wider array of challenges

“It’s unorthodox, but our goal was to design a simulation that addressed not just the technical or medical side, but also the social, economic, and infrastructure challenges communities face during disasters,” Schroeder explained.

This cross-disciplinary focus aligns directly with the goals of the Los Angeles workshop. To create a realistic and impactful scenario, the simulation incorporated extensive data. “We incorporated decades of demographic, economic, and infrastructure data to help participants understand how a city like Phoenix got to where it is — and what preparing for extreme heat looks like, not just next year, but over the rest of this century,” Schroeder detailed.

This approach underscores the growing importance of data in understanding and preparing for complex, multi-year disaster scenarios. The workshop aimed to lay the groundwork for a forthcoming white paper, which will outline key questions, necessary tools, and vital partnerships to advance disaster recovery and preparedness, not just in Los Angeles but across other wildfire-prone regions.

The consensus underscored that true disaster preparedness involves comprehensive, long-term planning for all phases that follow a fire, extending well beyond the initial response. Schroeder emphasized the broader vision behind these initiatives, stating, “If we want to change how people approach disaster preparedness, we have to stop seeing it as just rescue and recovery. It’s really about stabilizing well-being and livelihoods — both in the immediate aftermath and over the long term.”

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