NEWS: Here’s how utilities are preparing for wildfire season—and where some might get caught off-guard.

The forecast: Out West, low snowpack plus earlier-than-usual heat are bringing prime conditions for major blazes. This season could start earlier and last longer than average, a PG&E representative told Energy Central.

The new normal: It isn’t just Western states on high watch—wildfire dangers are also intensifying in the South and Midwest. But in states that didn’t historically face high risks, some organizations have made slow progress. In parts of the Midwest, for example, utilities have said they're “just not that worried,” Skye Perry of FNN, a lightning-detection tech developer, told Energy Central. “But I think they will be worried within the next couple years.”

Catching sparks before they fly: As these hazards rise, it’s increasingly critical to work ahead of the flames. Some utilities are combining AI and high-tech sensors to pick up on risks and alert crews before things escalate.

For example, PG&E’s network of sensors and smart meters has intercepted ignitions in high fire-risk areas and saved some $6M in operational costs. And Florida Power and Light is using FNN’s lighting-detection tool to get ahead of fires. Last year, it enabled the utility to quickly respond to 430 ignitions, Perry said. To dive deeper into wildfire-fighting tech, listen to our recent Power Perspectives episode.