About Wildfire Atlas

🔥 About Us

🌿 Our Story

Each season transforms the California hills - green and alive in spring, golden and fragile by summer. Wildfire Atlas was founded by a high school student passionate about sustainability and community resilience, inspired by a desire to turn awareness into action.

Our founder, Mike Chen, is an environmental advocate and youth leader serving on the National Youth Council of Project Green Schools and as a staff member for the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region Leadership Development Camp (LDC). Mike’s experiences in youth leadership and disaster preparedness have shaped Wildfire Atlas into more than a project, it’s a movement to educate and equip communities before the next destructive wildfire incident. 

We believe that protecting our communities starts with understanding the land we live on, and the risks that come with it. By combining local action, public education, and data-driven insights, we aim to make every trail, neighborhood, and park safer for generations to come. Currently, our founder is collaborating with Professor Steinberg at CSUN’s Institute for Sustainability, exploring research opportunities using ArcGIS software to map wildfire risk and promote data-driven prevention strategies.

🗺️ Our Mission

Wildfire Atlas engages youth and communities to prevent wildfires, prepare for emergencies, and safeguard the landscapes we all depend on.

We bring together education, data, and collaboration to create a culture of awareness and readiness.

🌤️ Our Vision

A future where generations work together to build wildfire-ready communities, equipped with the knowledge, tools, and shared commitment to protect lives, homes, and natural landscapes.

🤝 What We Do

We combine research, education, technology, and local action to reduce wildfire risk and strengthen community preparedness. Our work includes:

• 🪧 Trailhead and Park Signage: Educational posters and QR-linked displays to promote fire-safe behavior.
  
  

• 🏫 Education & Outreach: Presentations for schools, scout troops, and youth organizations.
  
  

• 🗺️ Data & Research: Using GIS and mapping technology to visualize wildfire patterns, assess risk, and inform prevention strategies.
  
  

• 🌿 Community Partnerships: Collaborating with parks, rangers, and environmental organizations to promote awareness and action.
  
  

🌱 Join Us

Whether you’re a student, educator, or community member, you can help make a difference.
👉 Volunteer with us, join our mailing list, or share our message to strengthen wildfire prevention and readiness.

Together, we can research, educate, prepare, and protect.