The session dives into the mechanics behind translating detailed weather forecasts into actionable intelligence for emergency operations, capital planning, and risk assessment, and demonstrates how utilities are moving beyond typical weather forecasts to use AI-driven analytics that identify where the grid is most vulnerable.

Fire is dynamic. Utilities must evolve beyond static assessments to stay ahead of the threat.

Electric company executives recognize the risk wildfires pose to their assets, customers, and the communities they serve.

Electric companies need to leverage a comprehensive understanding of their asset wildfire risk to plan for a safer future.

Energy companies in the United States are increasingly relying on wildfire spread prediction models to assess asset-caused ignition risk.

This collision demands a complete cultural overhaul, not just operational adjustments.

Forecasts show the weather. Climatology shows the why behind the risk.

The term “unprecedented” is often used in the media to describe seemingly new wildfire impacts. Yet, we have seen numerous “unprecedented” wildfire events in the past five years stemming from asset-caused ignitions.

Catastrophic wildfires ignited by electrical equipment were often considered a “California issue”. Yet, extreme weather and a changing climate are causing electric utilities across the country to face the specter of wildfire for the first time.

With news media across various western states highlighting possible “PSPS events”, it’s helpful to understand how wildfire risk has increased as we enter the fall and what PSPS means for electric utilities as they look to keep communities safe.

They warn of fire spread, but electric utilities need to know where fires will start.

It’s not about framing PSPS as a failure – it’s about helping the public see it as a necessary tool to prevent tragedy.

To protect infrastructure and communities in an increasingly wildfire-prone environment, utilities need a new approach.

Investing in advanced data-driven solutions ensures a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to managing extreme weather challenges.

With news media across various western states highlighting strong wind events and their relationship with wildfire risk, it’s helpful to understand why these winds are an issue now, what downslope winds are, and how they impact wildfire behavior.