Pacific Power issues statement regarding 2019 wildfire season
Scott Bolton, senior vice president of external affairs and customer solutions at Pacific Power, issued a statement Thursday regarding the 2019 wildfire season.
“As wildfires become more frequent and intense throughout the West, protecting the communities we serve from this increasing threat while providing safe, reliable power, is our highest priority,” Bolton said. “We are building on our work over past years to strengthen our system and implement additional safety measures to reduce wildfire risks.”
Bolton noted that Pacific Power is working with area emergency services agencies, the Oregon Department of Forestry and community leaders across Oregon to expand and improve existing emergency response plans and work with communities.
He also detailed several new actions the company is planning for the 2019 fire season.
The company is enhancing vegetation inspections and clearance around power lines and poles, increasing facilities inspections, making investments to improve equipment resiliency and fire-proofing, installing local weather stations and training and equipping field crews for wildfire suppression, Bolton said.
Pacific Power is also establishing a new fire prevention measure called Public Safety Power Shutoff, in which the company proactively shuts off power during extreme weather conditions that may result in wildfires. This action would only be taken as a last resort. The company is coordinating with local governments and emergency services agencies in regards to this measure.
The company is also launching a public wildfire education and outreach campaign to share wildfire safety and prevention tips and to inform customers of the company’s Public Safety Power Shutoff measure. The campaign will include public information workshops for communities in high-risk areas.
“Customers can take steps now to prepare for emergencies by keeping vegetation around their homes trimmed and low and updating their emergency plans and supplies,” Bolton said. “Customers should also contact us to ensure their contact information is up-to-date, so we can keep [providing] updates about increased fire risk alerts, potential power outages, and updates on power restoration.”
