00:00How can electricity lines both be threatened by wildfires and help start them?
00:04A new warning highlights a growing problem for power networks around the world.
00:08The International Energy Agency says nearly 15 million customer disruptions
00:13have been linked to wildfire-related power cuts and outages since 2022.
00:18Some shutdowns are deliberate.
00:20When heat, dry vegetation, and strong winds create dangerous conditions,
00:24electricity operators may switch off power lines to reduce the risk of fires.
00:29But the danger works both ways.
00:31Overgrown vegetation, faulty equipment, and sparks from power lines can also trigger wildfires.
00:37The scale of the challenge is significant.
00:40The IEA estimates that 22% of global electricity grids pass through areas where wildfire conditions occur,
00:47on average, at least once every decade.
00:50And nearly 25 million kilometers of electricity lines are expected to be built over the next decade.
00:56The agency is calling for better vegetation management, stronger equipment, and smarter monitoring.
01:02The challenge is clear.
01:04Keeping electricity flowing without increasing wildfire risk.
01:07Disclosure.
01:08This video contains stock footage and content created or enhanced using AA-assisted tools.
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