The rising costs of wildfire mitigation are being passed on to utility customers in the Pacific Northwest, with some facing rate hikes of nearly 19% in 2026 and additional increases planned for 2027. This has raised concerns about affordability, particularly for low-income households. Additionally, the risk of wildfires remains high, with 36% of Avista's distribution lines located in fire-prone areas. The potential for utility infrastructure to spark wildfires, as seen in the Babb Road Fire in Malden, Washington, underscores the need for effective mitigation strategies. However, there is also concern that utilities may not be investing enough to prevent future catastrophic events [IJPR, 2026-09-07].