As spring turns to summer this year, the state of Oregon is experiencing dry conditions. These can make for another challenging wildfire season.
Here at Columbia River PUD, we are actively following our Wildfire Mitigation Plan to do the best we can to help prevent wildfires from occurring in our service territory. Throughout the year, we manage vegetation growing near our power lines by trimming or removing trees and by mulching brush in our rights-of-way. This helps reduce the chances of trees contacting our electrical equipment and reduces fuel sources for potential fires.
We also systematically move power lines underground where it is practical, primarily in wooded areas.
Those are measures we take year-round. In the summer, we take additional precautions by making adjustments to our electrical system. We have already shifted our system to Wildfire Mitigation mode for the season, which is a step we’ve taken the last few years. This increases the sensitivity of our reclosers to prevent fuses from sparking and may shut off power faster to avoid starting a fire.
We also pay close attention to warnings from the National Weather Service. During periods of high temperatures, low humidity, strong winds, and dry vegetation, the National Weather Service may issue a Red Flag Warning. This serves as a cue for us to further increase the sensitivity of the settings on our system.
If a Red Flag Warning is issued, we will put our system on what’s called a “one-shot” setting. This will automatically de-energize large portions of our system if there’s any indication of a potential problem, such as a fault or abnormal electrical activity. Our crews must then patrol every section of line that is out before we can safely restore power. In other words, if the power goes out while we are in one-shot mode, the restoration time will likely take longer than normal.
In extreme high-risk areas, we might have to institute a Public Safety Power Shutoff, or PSPS. This is when we proactively de-energize a certain section of our system. A PSPS would be a safety measure we take as a last resort to protect our community from the threat of wildfire.
These are common occurrences in California. Fortunately, we haven’t had to declare a PSPS but it could be a real possibility this summer and we want you to be prepared.
We will try to notify affected customers if possible, and we will provide updates on our website and social media channels. To help, please ensure we have your current phone number and contact information so we can communicate with you. You should also make sure you have an emergency plan in place and an emergency kit ready to go.
Our goal is to always provide reliable power to you, our customers. We understand that not having power during extreme heat is inconvenient and can even be dangerous. That’s why we will only institute a PSPS as a last resort to look out for the safety of our community.
Preventing wildfire is a shared responsibility. By staying informed, preparing for potential outages, and understanding the precautions that we take, together we can do our part to reduce risks during wildfire season. We appreciate your patience, cooperation, and commitment to safety as we navigate the challenges presented by dry summer conditions.
Michael J. Sykes
General Manager
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