From inventing one of the most comprehensive and robust fire risk mitigation programs to help protect people, to building an advanced weather network to better prepare for extreme weather events and investing in innovative technologies and equipment to mitigate the effects of climate change — San Diego Gas & Electric is hard at work.
In our region, rising temperatures, prolonged drought conditions, and severe weather patterns present us with an ongoing challenge — devastating wildfires. And they can happen any time, for many reasons and become uncontrollable very quickly, as the recent West Fire in Alpine proved. To combat this threat and uphold our No. 1 priority of public safety, we’ve established a new Fire Science & Climate Adaptation Department. Team members in our new department continue to refine our Community Fire Safety Program to protect people, property and power lines.
We’ve invested significantly in advanced weather and fire forecast technologies, as well as infrastructure improvements.
One of the nation’s largest and most advanced utility weather networks, with over 190 weather stations, captures data for analysis by our team of meteorologists. The microclimate forecasts are sent to our electric system operators and local fire agencies to develop staffing plans.
Wildfire detection, a network of 100 high-definition cameras in about 20 locations, helps provide early fire detection.
Our own weather team uses fire behavior modeling software they created and the Santa Ana Wildfire Threat Index, which leverages cutting- edge fire science to classify the likelihood of catastrophic wildfires by community.
Five fire coordinators train firefighters, police and other first responders in energy safety. They also train SDG&E® field crews in fire prevention and response.
Enhanced fire safety measures at SDG&E include more than 19,000 wood poles having been converted to steel poles in fire-prone areas, 10,000 miles of electrical lines are now underground, 15 drones assess infrastructure and brush is cleared around 30,000 power poles annually. Over the next three years, SDG&E plans to install an additional 5,000 steel poles.
Day in and day out SDG&E is dedicated to taking care of our community and the planet we all share. Learn more about our wildfire preparedness efforts and resources to help you be prepared at sdge.com/wildfire-safety.