IMPORTANT

The Science Behind Wildfire Safety: PG&E's Proactive Approach

Date: June 20, 2025
Colin McCarthy

As a native Californian, climate change policy student, and someone who has spent nearly eight years covering wildfires on social media, I’ve seen firsthand how fast wildfires can grow — and how devastating they can become. But I’ve also seen meaningful progress in recent years. Thanks to new technology and smarter prevention, we’re seeing real steps that give firefighters, communities and people like me new ways to stay ahead of wildfire danger. 

 

PG&E’s expanding camera network is helping catch fires sooner

 

This faster detection means firefighters can stop fires before they grow out of control. PG&E is enhancing wildfire detection and prevention with innovative tools. One of the most significant changes is their expanding network of fire cameras. I have used PG&E’s webcams countless times to alert my audience on social media about rapidly advancing wildfires. PG&E has partnered with ALERTWest to deploy over 600 AI-powered cameras across Central and Northern California. These cameras use artificial intelligence to send automated alerts within seconds after detecting smoke or fire. This early detection enables firefighters to respond quickly and contain blazes before they spiral out of control and, in some cases, even before the first 911 call comes in.

 

The high-definition cameras also feature timelapse capabilities, allowing scientists and firefighters to monitor real-time weather, predict fire movement, and study smoke plumes as they shift. I have seen meteorologists on social media utilize these cameras to analyze live wildfire events, examining smoke rotation and fire behavior as they occur.

 

AI and machine learning are making power shutoffs less disruptive

 

More targeted shutoffs mean fewer customers lose power during fire risk events. Another crucial aspect of PG&E’s Community Wildfire Safety Program is their significant reduction in Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). Growing up in the hills of the San Francisco Peninsula, I remember losing power during high-fire-danger events. In 2019, nearly a million people lost power across Central and Northern California due to fire danger driven by Diablo winds, leaving the hills around my town completely dark.

 

Now, PG&E meteorologists and data scientists employ advanced AI and machine learning to better identify at-risk areas, resulting in fewer customers losing power. While PSPS events remain a last resort during extreme fire weather, these tools help limit outages to only the most necessary areas. Fire-spread models indicated that the 2019 shutoffs likely prevented fires that could have damaged thousands of acres and buildings.

 

PG&E is burying power lines to prevent future wildfires

 

Undergrounding can eliminate one of the biggest wildfire ignition risks. PG&E is also undertaking a significant project to move thousands of miles of power lines underground, particularly in California’s highest fire-risk areas. As someone who has covered 14 of California’s 20 most destructive wildfires since 2017 — some caused by power lines — this new effort resonates with me. This initiative will greatly reduce wildfire risk in the areas where the lines are buried.

 

By 2026, over 1,500 miles of power lines will already be underground in the most fire-prone regions. This type of work protects communities and demonstrates new ways utility companies can address wildfire safety as climate risks continue to grow.

 

New sensor technology detects problems before fires start

 

This new tech can speed up detection to stop dangerous sparks before they ignite. For above-ground power lines, PG&E has installed Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS), which automatically cut power within one-tenth of a second if a problem is detected. These settings helped reduce ignitions by 65% in High-Fire-Threat Districts in 2024. Additional tools like Gridscope sensors and Early Fault Detection (EFD) identify vibrations, arcing, and radio frequency issues, enabling the detection of problems before fires can start.

 

California’s Future: A Safer Path Forward

 

Climate change will likely keep increasing wildfire risks. But seeing these kinds of bold, forward-thinking solutions gives me hope that California can meet this challenge head-on. PG&E’s efforts are helping to mitigate the risk of the next devastating wildfire before it even begins.

man standing in road