Climate change has become a more prominent part of the risk landscape for critical infrastructure, with an escalated threat to remote and unmanned facilities within the utilities sector. Rising temperatures, extended droughts, and stronger winds have contributed to more frequent and severe wildfires, particularly in regions like the Western United States. As the risk of wildfires grows, senior leaders and decision-makers in the utilities space are seeking to leverage technologies that enhance thermal situational awareness and risk mitigation.
The Convergint Utilities team, in collaboration with FLIR, is leveraging advanced thermal detection solutions to help organizations monitor heat anomalies early, trigger early warnings for vital infrastructure and immediate environments, and create a layer of protection from climate-related risks like wildfires.
The increasing wildfire threat to utilities infrastructure
Climate-related factors, such as declining soil moisture and the accumulation of organic materials, are known to contribute to fire hazards. And studies confirm that from 1984 to 2015, the number of large wildfires in the Western U.S. doubled. Projections now suggest that even a 1°C increase in temperature could expand burned areas by up to 600% in some forests. The threat is very real. Beyond direct infrastructure damage, wildfires can result in substantial economic losses, environmental degradation, and public health concerns due to deteriorating smoke and air quality. Utilities must recognize the importance of supporting community safety, and manage the risk of operational, financial, and reputational losses for their organizations. Proactive response to temperature escalations should therefore be an integral part of their security plan.
Leveraging thermal detection for early wildfire prevention
Early detection of temperature anomalies is critical for protecting infrastructure and managing the risk and response needed specific to wildfires. Thermal detection solutions, developed by FLIR, are designed to detect heat elevation before it escalates into a larger issue. Convergint collaborates with FLIR to integrate thermal imaging into comprehensive security and operational strategies for utilities and critical infrastructure.
Key benefits of thermal detection solutions:
All images are courtesy of FLIR. Reproduction without authorization is prohibited.
How Convergint understands and supports this effort
As climate change accelerates the frequency and severity of wildfires, utilities, and critical infrastructure organizations must adopt technologies that enhance their capabilities specific to fire detection and risk management. These efforts ultimately support operational efficiencies and financial results. In collaboration with FLIR, Convergint assists with the implementation of advanced thermal detection solutions to help utilities address emerging climate-related risks.
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The Convergint Utilities team delivers expertise, innovation, partnerships, and engagement, all in support of our ability to be our customer’s best service provider. Contact Convergint today to discover how industries can enhance operations and security. Our team is positioning utilities for success in a rapidly evolving landscape.
About FLIR
FLIR designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes technologies that enhance perception and awareness. FLIR brings innovative sensing solutions into daily life through its thermal imaging, visible-light imaging, video analytics, measurement and diagnostic, and advanced threat detection systems.
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