Chapter 1: The Impact of Wildfires on Communication

On August 20, environmental photographer Stuart Palley headed to Guerneville, a small town in Sonoma County, Northern California, facing a dire threat from the Walbridge Fire, ignited by lightning. Palley intended to document the firefighting efforts over several days. However, upon arrival, he encountered a significant obstacle: his cellphone lost service and remained inoperable for two days, complicating his assignment. He was unable to send updates to his editor or communicate with the fire battalion chief.

“Without a signal, I had to drive around asking locals for directions to find him,” Palley recounted to Future Human. “I was completely in the dark.”

Being cut off from communication is a common challenge for Palley, who has been capturing wildfire events professionally for nearly a decade. He often finds himself in areas where mobile networks are disrupted due to power outages or fire-damaged infrastructure. As wildfires increasingly spread into urban environments filled with cell towers and power lines, these outages have become more frequent and severe.

With millions of Americans relying solely on cellphones for emergency communications, the vulnerability of cellular networks has become alarmingly apparent, particularly in California. The state estimates that nearly 2 million wireless users were affected by wildfires and public safety power shutoff (PSPS) events in recent years, resulting in 15 million blocked calls. While California is working on new regulations to strengthen its wireless infrastructure, more comprehensive measures are necessary both within the state and across other regions experiencing similar outages.

More than a mere inconvenience, these communication breakdowns can have life-threatening consequences.

“Without functioning infrastructure, sending alerts and warnings becomes impossible,” stated Budge Currier, the 911 emergency communications branch manager at California’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES). “This inability to notify everyone is a significant issue.”

Chris van Löben Sels, a software manager based in Oakland, found himself among over a million wireless customers affected by PSPS events last fall. When the blackout disrupted his Verizon data connection, he lacked a backup landline to receive potential evacuation notices.

“Going to bed was quite unsettling,” van Löben Sels shared. “With a hot wind blowing, it felt crucial to have my emergency alert app active, but I had to rely on sirens for warnings. It’s disconcerting to feel unsafe in your own home.”

Similarly, journalist Jeffrey St. Clair experienced communication breakdowns during the Riverside Fire near his Oregon City home on September 8. As strong winds fueled the fire's growth, evacuation orders were issued. Without power and internet, St. Clair's AT&T service was reduced to “one flickering bar,” leaving him and his family uncertain about their evacuation status. Eventually, he managed to establish a connection by holding his phone high on the back porch and learned they were at “evacuation level two,” prompting them to head to the coast.

“That feeling of imminent danger and uncertainty drove us to leave swiftly,” St. Clair remarked.

Mobile networks can fail during wildfires for various reasons. PSPS events may contribute, but also damaged telephone poles and power lines can disrupt cell tower operations. Fires can sever the fiber cables that transmit cellular data, particularly if they are located above ground. In some cases, the towers themselves may be consumed by flames.

Chapter 2: The Consequences for Emergency Responders

The first video highlights how a fire damaged a cell phone tower in Eugene, revealing the critical nature of maintaining communication infrastructure during wildfires.

Mobile outages present serious challenges for first responders, who depend on cellular data to manage 911 calls and execute emergency evacuation plans. “Our command posts, evacuation centers, and disaster recovery sites all rely on data,” Currier explained. “When that data infrastructure fails, our ability to provide services is compromised.”

Even firefighters face the repercussions of communication failures. In California, firefighters use a “land mobile radio” network that typically has backup power for about two weeks. However, they also depend on internet data for resource organization, especially during large fires. A notable instance occurred during the Mendocino Complex Fire in 2018 when Verizon throttled data speeds for the Santa Clara Fire Department, significantly hindering emergency response efforts.

“The cell network is a tactical tool during emergencies, and losing that connectivity diminishes our options,” Palley stated. “While it doesn’t leave them entirely helpless, it certainly complicates their operations.”

Since the issue of mobile outages became prominent in 2017, California has initiated steps to enhance network resilience. New legislation now requires carriers to notify CalOES about outages affecting customers' ability to make 911 calls or receive emergency alerts. Another law prohibits data throttling for first responders during crises. In July, the California Public Utilities Commission approved a wireless resilience plan mandating cellular providers to equip towers with at least 72 hours of backup power.

Paul Barford, PhD, a computer scientist at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, believes other states should adopt California's proactive approach. He co-authored a groundbreaking study assessing the vulnerability of U.S. cellular infrastructure to wildfires. The research identified over 430,800 cell transceivers located in areas at “moderate to very high risk” for wildfires, predominantly concentrated in California, Florida, and Texas.

“While we often focus on the West for wildfire threats, service providers should consider risks to their infrastructure in other regions,” Barford advised.

Some companies are beginning to recognize this risk. AT&T launched a “climate change analysis tool” in 2019 to evaluate climate impacts on its infrastructure, including wildfires. These projections help the company determine where to place backup generators and enhance network resilience.

“This is not a one-time effort,” stated Marachel Knight, senior vice president of engineering and operations at AT&T. “It’s an ongoing process of data utilization to strengthen the network.”

As regulators and companies strive to bolster infrastructure, individuals who have faced coverage gaps are creating their own contingency plans. Van Löben Sels is arranging to install a backup landline, noting, “I’m fortunate to afford that.”

Palley has acquired a Verizon hotspot to maintain connectivity when his AT&T signal fails and recently invested in a portable satellite unit to ensure he can transmit photos to clients even when major networks are down.

“I’m expanding my options,” Palley commented. “I have Verizon, AT&T, and a satellite linked to the Iridium network. Given the societal impacts I’ve observed, staying connected is imperative.”

The second video discusses a cell phone tower that caught fire on Montgomery Drive, further illustrating the vulnerabilities of communication infrastructure during wildfires.