Mulching, Tree Trimming Helps Wildfire Mitigation

The last few years, wildfire mitigation has become one of the top priorities in our industry. We are continuing to take steps to ensure we are doing everything possible to combat the threat of wildfires in Columbia County.

You may have seen our Vegetation Management Operator mulching underneath and around power lines throughout our service territory. This important work helps remove potential fuel sources for fires.

We are working systematically throughout our service area to mulch as much as possible. This work is primarily in wooded areas outside of city limits.

Before mulching, we contact landowners and seek to obtain permission to do so on their property. The extent of our mulching program is dependent on the cooperation of landowners.

Another major component of our vegetation management strategy, as identified in our Wildfire Mitigation Plan, is tree trimming. Our tree crews also work systematically throughout our service territory, trimming and cutting limbs to maintain clearances in accordance with the Public Utility Commission.

Additionally, we work with customers to reduce hazards and other problem trees that might be located outside of our established right of way.

These efforts help us not only in our wildfire mitigation efforts, but they also help prevent tree-caused power outages during winter storms.

Earlier this year, we hired an in-house tree crew to help remove trees and branches encroaching on power lines. We still contract with a tree crew from Asplundh as well, so now you will see our white tree trucks in addition to the orange Asplundh trucks.

If you have any hazardous trees on your property, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We will have someone assess the situation at no additional cost to the homeowner. If the trees are threatening our lines, we will trim or remove them to help fight against the threat of wildfire.

In addition to filling out the form online, you can call us at (503) 397-1844 to let us know about any trees growing into power lines near your home. If you can, please include a picture of the tree in question when you fill out the online form.