--- title: What Does a Wildfire-Ready Community Look Like? description: Major wildfires are a growing threat across the U.S. and world. Here's a vision of wildfire readiness community leaders and utilities can use as a model. image: https://blog.aem.eco/hubfs/Blog%20Images%20and%20Videos/Featured%20Images/Wildfire-Ready-Community-Blog-Header.jpg --- [![AEM logo header](https://blog.aem.eco/hs-fs/hubfs/AEM_RGB-Logo-Colour_RGB-Logo-Colour-Mar-30-2022-02-04-12-03-PM.png?width=196&name=AEM_RGB-Logo-Colour_RGB-Logo-Colour-Mar-30-2022-02-04-12-03-PM.png)AEM Logo Header](https://aem.eco/) - Solutions ### Solutions - #### Data & Software - #### [AEM Elements® 360](https://aem.eco/product/elements-360/) - #### [Sferic Maps®](https://aem.eco/product/sferic-maps/) - #### [Data and APIs](https://aem.eco/product-type/data-api/) - #### Hardware - #### [Systems](https://aem.eco/product-type/systems/) - #### [Sensors](https://aem.eco/product-type/sensors/) - #### [Data Collection](https://aem.eco/product-type/data-collection/) - #### [Cameras](https://aem.eco/product-type/cameras/) - #### [Alerting](https://aem.eco/product-type/alerting/) - #### [Telemetry](https://aem.eco/product-type/telemetry/) - #### [Accessories](https://aem.eco/product-type/accessories/) - #### Professional Services - #### [Meteorological Services](https://aem.eco/service/meteorological-services/) - #### [Hydromet Services](https://aem.eco/service/hydromet-services/) - #### [Network Design](https://aem.eco/service/network-design/) - #### [Field Services & Installation](https://aem.eco/service/field-services-installation/) - #### [Maintenance and Calibration](https://aem.eco/service/maintenance/) - #### [Training](https://aem.eco/service/training/) - #### Solutions - #### [Flood Risk Management](https://aem.eco/solution/flood-risk-management/) - #### [Severe Weather Risk Management](https://aem.eco/solution/severe-weather-risk-management/) - #### [Wildfire Risk Management](https://aem.eco/solution/wildfire-risk-management/) - #### [Precision Agriculture](https://aem.eco/solution/precision-agriculture/) - #### [Lightning Detection](https://aem.eco/solution/lightning-detection/) - #### [Dam Safety](https://aem.eco/solution/dam-safety/) - #### [Community Weather](https://aem.eco/solution/personal-weather/) #### AEM Elements® Resiliency Platform Your essential toolkit for weather forecasting, hazard detection, and emergency response coordination. [Learn more](https://lp.aem.eco/aem-elements-resiliency-platform-launch) - Industries ### Industries - #### [Agriculture Monitor growing conditions to improve yields and reduce waste.](https://aem.eco/industry/agriculture/) - #### [Aviation Keep crews aware of severe weather.](https://aem.eco/industry/aviation/) - #### [Club & Sport Keep athletes, members, and staff safe.](https://aem.eco/industry/club-sport/) - #### [Construction Secure job sites, workers, and deadlines against weather.](https://aem.eco/industry/construction-engineering/) - #### [Education Protect students from lightning and heat stress.](https://aem.eco/industry/education/) - #### [Energy Utilities Prepare and respond to weather-related outages.](https://aem.eco/industry/energy-utility/) - #### [National Governments Protect citizens and infrastructure.](https://aem.eco/industry/government/) - #### [Ground Transportation Monitor dangerous road conditions.](https://aem.eco/industry/ground-transportation/) - #### [Manufacturing Minimize weather impact and demonstrate compliance.](https://aem.eco/industry/manufacturing/) - #### [Maritime Anticipate bad weather to keep crews and cargo safe.](https://aem.eco/industry/maritime/) - #### [Military Stay prepared from severe weather disruptions.](https://aem.eco/industry/military/) - #### [Mining Protect workers and optimize operations.](https://aem.eco/industry/mining/) - #### [Renewable Energy Protect and manage critical infrastructure.](https://aem.eco/industry/renewable-energy/) - #### [States & Municipalities Safeguard communities from severe weather events.](https://aem.eco/industry/states-municipalities/) - #### [Water Utilities Minimize disruption and keep water safe.](https://aem.eco/industry/water-utility/) #### A Buying Guide for Airport Operations An effective approach to mitigating weather risks includes three stages: Analyze, Plan, and Implement. [Download guide](https://lp.aem.eco/airport_buying_guide) - [Resources](https://aem.eco/resources/) ### Resources & Insights - #### [Blog Articles and perspectives to grow your weather resiliency knowledge.](https://blog.aem.eco/?_gl=1*59kdv5*_gcl_au*MTg2MzM2NDE1OC4xNzQwNTA5ODg1*_ga*MTE5Njc5MjQ1MC4xNzQwNTA5ODg1*_ga_ZQ24JNBSJ0*MTc0NjAxMTA4MC41MC4xLjE3NDYwMTg0NzguNTkuMC44NTE1NzUxMjQ.) - #### [Case Studies See how our customers have transformed into weather readiness leaders.](https://aem.eco/resources/?filter-category=case-study) - #### [Demos Learn the benefits and outcomes you can achieve using AEM products.](https://aem.eco/resources/?filter-category=demo) - #### [Podcast Hear straight from industry experts on data, trends, stories, and anomalies.](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2juJxrdXIUpTAaMkfCuY26DuiWoUVY1E) - #### [Product & Data Sheets See the specifications of our weather stations, sensors, and hardware.](https://aem.eco/resources/?filter-category=data-sheet) - #### [Reports & Guides Connect with insights from our research team and proprietary data.](https://aem.eco/resources/?filter-category=report) - #### [Solution Overviews Learn how we align solutions to today’s growing weather challenges.](https://aem.eco/resources/?filter-category=solution-overview) - #### [Webinars Sign up for upcoming learning sessions or watch events on demand.](https://aem.eco/resources/?filter-category=webinar) #### 2025 U.S. Lightning Report A deep dive into 2025 U.S. lightning activity powered by data from AEM’s Earth Networks Total Lightning Network®. 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[Become a Partner](https://aem.eco/partners/) - [Contact us](https://aem.eco/contact-us/) # What Does a Wildfire-Ready Community Look Like? [Wildfire Risk Management](https://blog.aem.eco/tag/wildfire-risk-management) By [Bill England](https://blog.aem.eco/author/bill-england) [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://blog.aem.eco/what-does-a-wildfire-ready-community-look-like) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.aem.eco/what-does-a-wildfire-ready-community-look-like) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.aem.eco/what-does-a-wildfire-ready-community-look-like) ![](https://blog.aem.eco/hubfs/Blog%20Images%20and%20Videos/Featured%20Images/Wildfire-Ready-Community-Blog-Header.jpg) Not so long ago, there was a clearly defined “wildfire season,” but as major wildfires are growing into a year-round challenge and the average fire is becoming more destructive, it’s more important than ever for teams across the community with a stake in wildfire readiness, detection, and response to work together. Moving forward, we’ll explore… - [The key stakeholders in community wildfire readiness](https://blog.aem.eco/what-does-a-wildfire-ready-community-look-like#Stakeholders) - [The key characteristics or strategies of a wildfire-ready community](https://blog.aem.eco/what-does-a-wildfire-ready-community-look-like#Readiness) - [How teams with a stake in wildfire risk management can take the next step forward toward community readiness](https://blog.aem.eco/what-does-a-wildfire-ready-community-look-like#Assessment) ## Wildfire-ready communities know fire risk management is a shared responsibility [![Wildfire-LP-Email-Video-template](https://blog.aem.eco/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images%20and%20Videos/Promotional%20Banners/Wildfire-LP-Email-Video-template.gif?width=756&height=500&name=Wildfire-LP-Email-Video-template.gif)](https://aem.eco/wildfire-readiness-vision/) Much of the public probably assumes that fire departments and districts are responsible for the bulk of wildfire risk management, but that’s actually an oversimplification, especially as [wildfires are getting bigger and more damaging on average](https://blog.aem.eco/why-wildfires-are-more-common-than-they-used-to-be). Here’s a breakdown of the key stakeholder groups: - **[Local Government:](https://aem.eco/industry/states-municipalities/)** City and county leaders have a responsibility to ensure their communities are prepared to face and recover from a wildfire event. - **[Energy Utilities:](https://aem.eco/industry/energy-utility/)** Power utility infrastructure in the wildlands and wildland-urban interface increases the potential impact and scope of fires. - **[Fire Districts:](https://aem.eco/solution/emergency-management/)** Professional fire teams provide the boots on the ground when a potential ignition develops or a wildfire rages. - **[Land Management Agencies:](https://aem.eco/industry/government/)** The stewards of public land and priceless natural resources need to do their best to prevent major fires in the wildlands. In order to fireproof a community, those four teams need a shared understanding of the challenge and a clear framework for collaboration in the name of public safety. By working together, each team or agency can make the most of their budget and potential impact without any single group needing to own the threat of a wildfire from end to end. ## Wildfire-ready communities use weather monitoring for fire danger rating It’s impossible to know exactly when and where a wildfire will happen ahead of time, but you can identify your areas of greatest potential risk and understand key moments of increased risk using [weather monitoring stations and sensors](https://aem.eco/product-type/sensors/). By deploying stations across your service area, you can carry out a study of hyperlocal temperature, humidity, wind, and even soil moisture conditions to understand where the biggest risks for wildfire ignition or rapid growth exist. That information will help you determine which locations or microregions you’ll need to monitor most closely on an ongoing basis and where to prioritize prevention actions like prescribed burns. [![WildfireReport\_PromoBanner1\_Blog](https://blog.aem.eco/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images%20and%20Videos/Promotional%20Banners/WildfireReport_PromoBanner1_Blog.jpg?width=756&height=187&name=WildfireReport_PromoBanner1_Blog.jpg)](https://s39920.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/AEM_2024_Wildfire-Report.pdf)Once you’re equipped with that knowledge, that same hardware network can be used as a fire weather monitoring system on a daily basis. By cross-referencing hyperlocal real-time observations and the [National Weather Service’s National Fire Danger Rating System forecast](https://www.nwcg.gov/committees/fire-danger-subcommittee/nfdrs), you can create a deep, personalized understanding of your areas of greatest wildfire risk to support preparedness and proactive response. ## Wildfire-ready communities are constantly visualizing high-risk locations Areas of increased wildfire risk can take a few different forms. Maybe there’s [utility infrastructure in the wildlands](https://blog.aem.eco/how-utilities-can-conquer-todays-growing-weather-challenges) near significant fuel. Maybe there’s a residential development on the edge of an especially dry canyon. Maybe there are regions within a managed forest where rainfall has been consistently low for several years. [![Learn about SmartGT for wildfire cameras](https://blog.aem.eco/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images%20and%20Videos/Promotional%20Banners/Banner_1%20(3).jpg?width=756&height=187&name=Banner_1%20(3).jpg)](https://lp.aem.eco/from-cameras-to-smart-cameras-a-demo-of-aems-ptz-camera-tech) Once those areas have been identified, either through community knowledge or using a weather/fire risk mapping study, it’s important to monitor them especially closely. That includes ongoing weather monitoring campaigns as well as visual intelligence from [wildfire camera solutions](https://aem.eco/product/wildfire-ptz-camera/). Wildfire cameras can bring a 360-degree view of high-risk locations to a wildfire command center or intelligence hub, allowing a fire monitoring professional to review curated images from a bird’s eye view or drive the camera in real time to focus in on areas of high interest or potential ignitions. ## Wildfire-ready communities know about every lightning strike in their area Lightning can easily provide an ignition source for dry tinder or utility equipment, making it nature’s favorite fire-starter. In Canada, for instance, [lightning is recognized as the cause of at least 45% of all fires](https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/lightning/forest-fires.html), and lightning-related fires represent 81% of the total area burned each year. [![Hear from the experts behind AEM's latest lightning report](https://blog.aem.eco/hs-fs/hubfs/Lightning_Eblast_OnDemand.jpg?width=600&height=250&name=Lightning_Eblast_OnDemand.jpg)](https://lp.aem.eco/webinar-u.s.-lightning-activity-in-2022-an-experts-perspective) Given those facts, [lightning awareness and detection](https://aem.eco/solution/lightning-detection/) are key for any community or business that’s trying to figure out where small wildfires may be igniting in order to provide a swift, impactful mitigation effort. By subscribing to a [lightning mapping and alerting service](https://www.earthnetworks.com/product/decision-support-collaboration-tools/sferic-maps/), a fire/weather monitoring team can receive instant alerts for any cloud-to-ground lightning strike in their area. When the wildfire team gets a lightning alert, they can use their cameras to visualize the location of the potential ignition, pull data from nearby weather stations to provide real-time intelligence into the ground-level situation and possible spread, and contact a fire assessment and mitigation team with exact coordinates that enable a swift, decisive response. ## Wildfire-ready communities have great interagency communication Wildfire risk management, detection, monitoring, and response are shared responsibilities across a variety of stakeholder teams within a community. With that said, when wildfire risks present themselves, everybody must be able to act as one in order to provide the best outcomes for the community. [![See how CORE Electric is protecting their community](https://blog.aem.eco/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images%20and%20Videos/Promotional%20Banners/Banner_CoreCS.jpg?width=756&height=187&name=Banner_CoreCS.jpg)](https://blog.aem.eco/how-core-electric-coop-is-building-a-weather-ready-community) For example, real-time weather data and visual intelligence from the field that might be the ongoing responsibility of a corporate risk management team needs to be extended to fire safety and response professionals in a rapid, digestible way in the event of a potential ignition. Getting that handoff right and keeping the intelligence flowing requires a clear, organized framework for interagency communication as well as [a software framework that makes the data easy to extract and share](https://aem.eco/product-type/software/) in a way that makes sense at a glance. ## Take your next step as a wildfire-ready leader If you work in local government, emergency response, land management, or are a member of a risk management team at a power utility, you have an opportunity and a responsibility to become a wildfire-ready leader within your community. Even if you don’t have the budget or authority to revitalize your area’s wildfire resilience on your own, you can get a meaningful conversation started with other area stakeholders to see how you can protect citizens, the local economy, and priceless natural resources better. Trying to identify where to get started or where your areas of greatest potential value lie? [Take the AEM Wildfire Readiness Assessment](https://aem.eco/wildfire-readiness-vision/#assessment) to understand your current level of readiness and next steps. [![AEM's Wildfire Readiness Assessment](https://s39920.pcdn.co/wp-content/themes/aemonitoring/lp/wildfires/assets/assessment.jpg)](https://aem.eco/wildfire-assessment/) ![Bill England](https://blog.aem.eco/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images%20and%20Videos/SME%20and%20Author%20Portraits/Bill_England_Author_Portrait.jpg?width=150&name=Bill_England_Author_Portrait.jpg) #### Bill England [Follow me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/billengland) Bill England is currently the Director of Sales, North American Public Sector at AEM. Prior to this, they held the position of Director of Sales, State & Local Government and Canada at AEM. Before joining AEM, Bill worked at FTS Inc. as the Director of Sales, where they were responsible for multiple divisions including FTS, High Sierra Electronics, and OneRain. Bill England attended Simon Fraser University from 1997 to 2004, where they obtained a B.A.Sc. degree in Engineering. ### Related Blog Posts ### Subscribe for updates ![AEM Logo footer](https://blog.aem.eco/hs-fs/hubfs/aem-logo.png?width=292&name=aem-logo.png "AEM Logo footer") AEM 12410 Milestone Center Drive Suite 300 Germantown, MD 20876 [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/advanced-environmental-monitoring) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Advanced-Environmental-Monitoring-AEM-110375228108391) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIEVCZ05K4xayt5yXed48AA) #### Data & Software - [AEM Elements® 360](https://aem.eco/product/elements-360/) - [Sferic Maps®](https://aem.eco/product/sferic-maps) - [Data and APIs](https://aem.eco/product-type/data-api/) #### Hardware - [Systems](https://aem.eco/product-type/systems/) - [Sensors](https://aem.eco/product-type/sensors/) - [Data Collection](https://aem.eco/product-type/data-collection/) - [Cameras](https://aem.eco/product-type/cameras/) - [Alerting](https://aem.eco/product-type/alerting/) - [Telemetry](https://aem.eco/product-type/telemetry/) - [Accessories](https://aem.eco/product-type/accessories/) #### Professional Services - [Meteorological Services](https://aem.eco/service/meteorological-services/) - [Hydromet Services](https://aem.eco/service/hydromet-services/) - [Network Design](https://aem.eco/service/network-design/) - [Field Services & Installation](https://aem.eco/service/field-services-installation/) - [Maintenance and Calibration](https://aem.eco/service/maintenance/) - [Training](https://aem.eco/service/training/) #### Solutions - [Flood Risk Management](https://aem.eco/solution/flood-risk-management/) - [Severe Weather Risk Management](https://aem.eco/solution/severe-weather-risk-management/) - [Wildfire Risk Management](https://aem.eco/solution/wildfire-risk-management/) - [Precision Agriculture](https://aem.eco/solution/precision-agriculture/) - [Lightning Detection](https://aem.eco/solution/lightning-detection/) - [Dam Safety](https://aem.eco/solution/dam-safety/) - [Community Weather](https://aem.eco/solution/personal-weather/) #### Industries - [Agriculture](https://aem.eco/industry/agriculture/) - [Aviation](https://aem.eco/industry/aviation/) - [Club & Sport](https://aem.eco/industry/club-sport/) - [Construction](https://aem.eco/industry/construction-engineering/) - [Education](https://aem.eco/industry/education/) - [Energy Utilities](https://aem.eco/industry/energy-utility/) - [National Governments](https://aem.eco/industry/government/) - [Ground Transportation](https://aem.eco/industry/ground-transportation/) - [Manufacturing](https://aem.eco/industry/manufacturing/) - [Maritime](https://aem.eco/industry/maritime/) - [Military](https://aem.eco/industry/military/) - [Mining](https://aem.eco/industry/mining/) - [Renewable Energy](https://aem.eco/industry/renewable-energy/) - [States & Municipalities](https://aem.eco/industry/states-municipalities/) - [Water Utilities](https://aem.eco/industry/water-utility/) #### Resources & Insights - [Blog](https://blog.aem.eco/) - [Case Studies](https://aem.eco/resources/?filter-category=case-study) - [Demos](https://aem.eco/resources/?filter-category=demo) - [Podcast](https://www.youtube.com/@AEM_eco/podcasts) - [Product & Data Sheets](https://aem.eco/resources/?filter-category=data-sheet) - [Reports & Guides](https://aem.eco/resources/?filter-category=report) - [Solution Guides](https://aem.eco/resources/?filter-category=solution-guide) - [Solution Overviews](https://aem.eco/resources/?filter-category=solution-overview) - [Webinars](https://aem.eco/resources/?filter-category=webinar) #### Company - [About Us](https://aem.eco/about-us/) - [Our Offices](https://aem.eco/our-offices/) - [Brands](https://aem.eco/our-brands/) - [Partners](https://aem.eco/partners/) - [Careers](https://aem.eco/careers/) - [In the News](https://aem.eco/press-center/) Copyright © 2026 AEM [Privacy Policy](https://aem.eco/privacy-policy)