A Wildfire Risk Impact Index (WRII) for Power Distribution Systems: Integrating GIS and AHP

Abstract

Wildfires pose a significant threat to power distribution systems, leading to disruptions, infrastructure damage, and economic losses. The conventional fire weather index (FWI) is widely used for wildfire risk assessment, but primarily relies on meteorological factors and does not explicitly account for the spatial distribution of critical infrastructure. Therefore, this study proposes a new wildfire risk impact index (WRII) to assess wildfire risk and severity on power distribution systems. The WRII is developed using the geographic information system (GIS) and analytical hierarchy process (AHP), integrating multiple spatial variables (i.e., temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, and topography), hotspot proximity to key infrastructures (i.e., power distribution systems, fire stations, and roads), and the number of connected power system points. A case study in Chiang Mai, Thailand, is conducted using the QGIS to demonstrate the applicability of WRII and its superiority over the FWI. The results highlight spatial variations in wildfire risk, offering valuable insights for power system operators. The WRII enhances wildfire preparedness and mitigation strategies.