Pima County Wildfire Risk & the Dangers on Transmission Infrastructure

Abstract

This research paper investigates the impact of wildfires on transmission infrastructure and proposes sustainable mitigation strategies to enhance the resilience of the electric grid in Pima County, Arizona. The study addresses the increasing vulnerability of transmission systems to wildfire risk and aims to identify specific areas at high risk within Pima County. Through geospatial mapping and risk assessment techniques, the study analyzes key variables including slope, elevation, aspect, and land use to understand their influence on wildfire behavior and transmission infrastructure susceptibility. Furthermore, the research explores sustainable alternatives to reduce reliance on the grid and increase resilience, including the adoption of distributed energy resources and demand-side management techniques. The study aims to provide valuable insights into mitigating wildfire-induced power outages and enhancing sustainability of energy systems in wildfire-prone regions.