Avista Utilities operates across Washington, Idaho, and Montana, where varied terrain and changing environmental conditions can significantly influence wildfire risk. As part of ongoing efforts to improve resilience, a meteorological situational awareness program was developed to enhance visibility into conditions associated with ignition and fire spread, supporting more informed operational decision-making and Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) planning. The program supports operations across multiple service areas and has helped establish a framework referenced by other utilities addressing similar wildfire risks.
Field technicians designed and installed fire weather stations on Avista-owned assets to monitor site-specific conditions that contribute to wildfire ignition and spread. These stations transmit real-time data to the National Weather Service and regional wildfire response groups, supporting coordinated situational awareness across the region. Our meteorologists provide customized forecasts tailored to Avista’s operational needs, delivering continuous monitoring, alerting, and direct communication on a 24/7 basis. Forecasts extend from immediate conditions to week-ahead outlooks, enabling both rapid response and proactive planning during elevated risk periods.
