Where to invest for maximum impact With catastrophic wildfire seasons becoming the norm, utilities in fire-prone regions face mounting pressure from regulators, ratepayers and insurers to demonstrate measurable risk reduction. The question isn't whether to invest in wildfire mitigation, it's where to invest for maximum impact. ABB supports utilities with a comprehensive approach to wildfire risk reduction. From undergrounding initiatives that eliminate ignition sources to advanced protection systems that minimize fault energy when de-energization isn't an option. The numbers tell the story: utilities estimate that undergrounding eliminates nearly all wildfire ignition risk from converted lines, while PSPS (Public Safety Power Shutoff) events, though disruptive, remain approximately 95% effective at reducing catastrophic wildfire risk during extreme weather conditions. For utility distribution engineers and operations managers, the strategic priority is clear: • • • • • • • • The utilities having the most success aren't treating wildfire mitigation as a single technology investment. They're building layered defense strategies and choosing partners who can support every layer. Your wildfire mitigation program deserves equipment from a partner who understands the full picture. Wildfire-Ready Switchgear: Integrated Protection for PSPS Operations and Personnel Safety • • • • • • • • When utilities convert overhead lines to underground distribution in high fire-threat districts, the cable accessories connecting those systems need to perform reliably for decades in demanding soil conditions, with minimal maintenance access. • • • • — Q&A: Utility Safety Leader on Wildfire Protocols We sat down with Harsh Karandikar – Ph.D., VP of Product Management and Robert Hale – Field Application Engineering Manager to discuss how utilities are evolving their wildfire mitigation strategies. Q: What's changed most in utility wildfire response over the past five years? A: The shift from reactive to proactive is dramatic. Five years ago, most utilities were focused on post-fire restoration. Today, the focus is prevention, system hardening, sensitive protection settings and operational protocols like PSPS. Regulators and insurers are demanding measurable risk reduction, and utilities are responding with data-driven investment strategies. Q: How should utilities prioritize wildfire mitigation investments? A: Start with risk mapping. Identify your highest-consequence corridors, areas where ignition probability and fire spread potential are both elevated. Then layer your defenses: undergrounding where feasible, enhanced vegetation management, sensitive protection settings and PSPS capability where other mitigations aren't practical. No single technology solves the problem. Q: What role does equipment selection play in wildfire risk reduction? A: A more important role than people realize. Protection relay settings that clear faults in milliseconds rather than seconds dramatically reduce fault energy and ignition probability. Vacuum circuit breaker technology eliminates the oil found in legacy switchgear, removing a potential fuel source from substations in fire-prone areas. And distribution automation enables precise PSPS execution without over-de-energizing. Equipment choices matter. Q: In what ways does Elastimold® cable accessories enhance the safety of my system? — SafeGear® / SafeGear® HD arc-resistant switchgear Arc-resistant metal-clad switchgear for utility and industrial primary distribution. UFES (Ultra-Fast Earthing Switch) Highest level of safety for LV and MV systems against hazardous impacts of internal arc faults. View Product Details | UFES REX615 & REX640 Protection Relays Whitepaper: 5 key areas to mitigate wildfire risk Managing wildfire risk with electrification. — We want to hear from you! Have a topic or content you would like to see in a future Grid Pulse edition? We’d love to hear it.