3-minute read
Snapshot
Wildfire seasons across the Northwest have grown longer, hotter, and more destructive, making fire mitigation a year-round responsibility for utilities. One regional provider serving more than 600,000 customers recognized the need to rethink its strategy for managing vegetation, public safety power shutoffs (PSPS), and overall system resilience.
Working with Logic20/20, the utility built an integrated data and analytics ecosystem that improves visibility, speeds up decision-making, and strengthens community safety. By centralizing critical data and enhancing situational awareness, the organization is now better equipped to protect customers, infrastructure, and the region it serves.
We brought our expertise and experience in
- Data modeling for complex utility networks
- Machine learning applied to wildfire risk assessment
- Power BI dashboard design for operational decision-making
- Cloud data architecture and pipeline automation
- Cross-system integration spanning GIF, OMS, CIS, and vegetation data
- Scalable data governance tailored to utility operations
- Organizational change management to drive adoption
Delivering reliable energy across diverse and rugged terrain
Spanning more than 20,000 square miles of mountains, desert, and forest, the utility delivers reliable power to diverse communities and industries. With more than 2,000 employees, it plays a vital role in keeping homes and businesses running safely and reliably. As climate conditions shift and wildfire threats intensify, the organization continues to strengthen grid reliability and protect customers and crews across tough terrain.
In 2024, 64,897 wildfires were reported in the United States, consuming more than 8.9 million acres.
Facing the challenge: Limited visibility and outdated processes
For years, the utility relied on a calendar-based vegetation management schedule, sending patrols to every area on a fixed rotation regardless of actual fire risk. As a result, high-risk zones sometimes went unaddressed while resources were spent maintaining low-risk areas.
During PSPS events, teams relied on static spreadsheets and reports to identify affected customers—an approach that slowed communication when speed was critical. Data was scattered across systems, limiting visibility and delaying decisions in moments that demanded immediate action.
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A three-part strategy to manage risk at scale
Logic20/20 worked hand in hand with the utility’s operations and data teams on three focus areas: vegetation risk modeling, PSPS planning, and enterprise data integration.
Mapping vegetation risk to optimize patrols
Logic20/20 developed a Vegetation Risk Index (VRI) using machine learning to target vegetation efforts where they matter most. The model analyzes geographic, environmental, and operational data to assign risk scores across the service area, guiding crews toward areas with the greatest ignition potential.
By layering in historical pruning data, the VRI shows how past trimming affects today’s risk, giving teams a feedback loop to refine their strategy year after year.
Improving PSPS planning and customer communication
As PSPS events become more frequent and complex, accurate and timely outreach is essential. Logic20/20 built a unified data model linking feeder segments, devices, and customer accounts so teams can instantly see which customers a de-energization will affect.
Through an interactive Power BI dashboard, teams can model outage scenarios, filter by risk zone, and export accurate contact lists, helping crews and customers stay aligned when it matters most.
Centralizing data to support long-term agility
Logic20/20 helped the utility consolidate data from its core systems—including GIS, OMS, vegetation management, and CIS—to make analytics faster and more reliable. By migrating reporting to Azure Synapse and automating data pipelines, the utility created a single source of truth for operational insight, giving teams real-time visibility into what’s happening across the grid.
This centralized foundation now supports consistent reporting, stronger data quality, and faster decision-making across departments.
Logic20/20 developed a Vegetation Risk Index (VRI) to analyze geographic, environmental, and operational data and assign risk scores across the service area, using machine learning to target vegetation efforts where they matter most.
The impact: Better insight, faster response, stronger foundation
Through this partnership, the utility has transformed how it manages risk and resilience. Risk-based patrols now focus resources where they deliver the most value. PSPS planning tools enable quicker, clearer communication with customers. And integrated data systems provide the agility needed to adapt to changing conditions.
With these capabilities in place, the utility can move quickly and confidently, protecting communities and infrastructure when every second counts.