Updating our Wildfire Risk Map:
CORE uses Wildfire Risk Maps to make important decisions and prioritize where and how to upgrade facilities, underground lines, and pilot fire mitigation technologies and equipment. The previous map was based on the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal that was published in 2017, but CSFS published their updated Wildfire Risk Assessment (WRA) in 2023 that contains updated fuels modeling and fire simulation data provided by Technosylva. Using the data from the update, we have built two new internal risk maps: one that combines Fire Intensity and Values at Risk to identify where catastrophic consequences from an ignition have the potential to occur, and another that combines Fire Intensity with Burn Probability to display where CORE’s assets face the greatest threat from wildfires. We focus different mitigation efforts to either reduce the potential for ignition or increase protection around our facilities in high-risk areas identified by these maps.
Integrating Risk Forecasting by Technosylva:
Technosylva is an industry leader in wildfire modeling and weather-based risk forecasting, and for the first time their product is available to smaller utilities as a web-based platform. This product provides daily wildfire risk forecasts for the coming four days at the asset level that, compared to the 3-day forecast for large geographic regions our current tool provides, gives us much greater situational awareness year-round.
Enhanced Vegetation Management Projects:
Many of our members and community partners have expressed a desire to see CORE expand upon our routine vegetation management in high-risk areas. In 2024, we did just that by assisting Evergreen Fire and Rescue to clear fuels along Witter Gulch Rd, a critical evacuation route for the community. We have also been assisting community members to remove fuels near our lines along Highway 73 north of Conifer to improve ingress and egress there.
Expanding our Pano Camera Network:
In 2023, CORE invested in four Pano AI camera stations that have been automatically detecting smoke plumes and sending alerts to pertinent CORE employees and emergency responders. Due to the success of the initial pilot, CORE expanded the program by adding 3 stations in 2024. The locations of the new camera stations are Devil’s Head Lookout, Monkey Face in Larkspur, and Bager Mountain, all of which will increase coverage of some of the highest-risk areas of our territory.