James P. Bobotek | Gravel2Gavel The threat of extreme wildfires has doubled in the past 20 years, with almost 20,000 fires blazing across the United States in 2024 alone. These high-intensity fires can be deadly, expensive, and create lingering health and environmental consequences. While we are used to seeing firefighters on the frontlines, researchers hope that next-generation… Continue reading With Wildfires at a Peak, “Firetech” Is Joining Smart City Lineups
Tag: Wildfires
Wildfire Threats Make Utilities Uninsurable in U.S. West
Mark Chediak | Claims Journal Trinity Public Utilities District’s power lines snake through the lower reaches of the Cascade Range, a rugged, remote and densely forested terrain in Northern California that has some of the highest wildfire risk in the country. But for several years, the company has been without insurance to protect it from… Continue reading Wildfire Threats Make Utilities Uninsurable in U.S. West
California Insurance Reform Creates Opportunity
Greg Hoffnagle, Andrew Kliewer and Alex Selarnick | Goodwin Procter As wildfires continue to grow in frequency and scale across California, and as the state’s homeowner’s insurance crisis continues to worsen, the California Department of Insurance (DOI) has issued a proposed regulation that, for the first time, would allow insurers to rely on catastrophe models in setting… Continue reading California Insurance Reform Creates Opportunity
Xcel Says Its Equipment Likely Involved in Huge Texas Blaze
Mark Chediak | Claims Journal Xcel Energy Inc. acknowledged that its equipment was likely involved in igniting the worst wildfire in Texas history. But the utility company refuted allegations it had acted negligently. “Based on currently available information, Xcel Energy acknowledges that its facilities appear to have been involved in an ignition of the Smokehouse… Continue reading Xcel Says Its Equipment Likely Involved in Huge Texas Blaze
PacifiCorp to Pay $250 Million in Timber Company Settlement for 2020 Wildfire
Ryan Haas | OPB For the second time this month, the utility provider PacifiCorp will pay out hundreds of millions of dollars to end a lawsuit over its alleged role in the devastating Oregon wildfires in 2020. In a filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday, PacifiCorp announced it has reached a… Continue reading PacifiCorp to Pay $250 Million in Timber Company Settlement for 2020 Wildfire