Why This Utility Shut Off Power Before Disaster Hit

Wildfire risk is changing—and so is the way utilities respond. In this episode of Power Perspectives, we take an inside look at Arizona Public Service's first-ever Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) and the high-stakes decision-making behind intentionally turning off power to prevent catastrophic wildfires. Host Matt Chester is joined by Wade Ward, Manager of Wildfire Mitigation and Fire Science at Arizona Public Service, and Steve Vanderburgh, Vice President of Weather & Risk Solutions at Technosylva. Together, they explain how advanced weather modeling, wildfire analytics, and operational planning helped guide one of the utility's most difficult decisions. They also discuss how utilities can balance reliability with public safety, why today's wildfire threat extends far beyond California, and what lessons every utility can apply before the next extreme weather event. Whether you're working in utility operations, emergency management, or simply interested in how critical infrastructure adapts to growing climate risks, this conversation offers practical insights into one of the industry's most important challenges. Thank you Technosylva for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about Technosylva here: https://hubs.la/Q04psJRr0