It only takes a spark: Enhancing DWP’s wildfire prevention strategy
Catastrophic wildfires are a growing concern for communities, regulators, and public safety agencies throughout California. Increasingly dangerous conditions brought about by climate change contribute to the intensity and frequency of these fires. Both natural and human factors can cause wildfire ignitions, such as lightning strikes, uncontrolled campfires, vehicle fires, or arson incidents. However, many of the State’s most destructive wildfires have been caused by overhead power lines.
According to data from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, ten of the twenty most destructive wildfires in State history have occurred since 2015. Of the ten wildfires, six were caused by overhead power lines. Tragically, these fires burned almost 649,000 acres, destroyed nearly 23,500 structures, and killed 108 people. The recent surge in catastrophic wildfires, and the human and financial toll that comes with them, has prompted agencies and power utilities to carefully examine how to reduce the likelihood that power lines will cause wildfires.