SRP, NAU Launch Pilot to Bring Real-Time Wildfire Monitoring to Arizona Forests

Salt River Project (SRP) and Northern Arizona University (NAU) are partnering to test a new wildfire monitoring technology that could improve how Arizona detects and responds to fire risk. The pilot, centered in the Tonto National Forest, represents the first utility deployment of Growvera's wireless moisture sensing technology in the United States.

The project will install approximately 200 sensors across six locations within SRP's watershed and power infrastructure corridor. Rather than relying on manual field sampling, which is labor-intensive and conducted only periodically, the sensors continuously measure fuel and soil moisture in real time. Those conditions are among the most important indicators used to assess wildfire risk.

The initiative is funded through SRP's Innovation and Development Program, which supports collaborative research between Arizona universities, technology companies, and research organizations. By combining advanced sensing technology with applied research, the project aims to provide more accurate and timely environmental data for land managers and utility operators.

The implications extend beyond wildfire response. Healthy watersheds play a critical role in Arizona's long-term water security. Severe wildfires can damage soils, increase erosion, and reduce the land's ability to capture and store water before it reaches reservoirs. Earlier detection of changing forest conditions could help mitigate those impacts.

The technology also supports electric grid reliability. Many of SRP's transmission lines and telecommunications assets pass through forested terrain, making wildfire monitoring an important part of protecting critical infrastructure.

The pilot reflects a broader trend across Arizona's innovation ecosystem: applying locally developed technology to solve challenges with statewide impact. By bringing together a public utility, a research university, and an emerging technology company, the project demonstrates how Arizona continues to translate research into practical solutions for resilience, infrastructure, and environmental stewardship.