The biggest utility firm, Pacific Power, is taking strict actions to minimize wildfire risks.

Pacific Power offers power services to nearly more than half a million customers across

Washington, California and Oregon and the firm have published its wildfire mitigation plan of 2019. The aim includes removing plants surrounding power devices, carrying more inspections across stations, providing training to crews on wildfire suppression and enhancing fire flexibility within power devices.

Vice President of Pacific Power, Scott Bolton mentions, switching off the power may be limited and is the last option to consider, and before demanding a power shut down, specific standards should be met.

Really, is to keep the public safe and to prevent catastrophic wildfires. We think that’s the right thing to do. We can’t go another fire season without considering this tool,

Bolton informed a source.

 Pacific Power is associated with three other utility companies, namely Pacific Gas & Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric, and Southern California Edison, for a program named ‘Public Safety Power Shut-off’ (PSPS).

Ever since, several wildfire incidences occurred in California, for instance, the Camp Fire,

that killed around 85 people and destroyed the Paradise town, was associated to

power lines at the time of windstorms, in-appropriately kept power stations and

regions, where brush grew were very near to electric system due to this

electricity service providers were under constant examination, and due to this, Pacific Power took this important step.

Bolton mentioned, we cannot see what occurred in California and not be influenced

to take necessary steps to protect our communities from similar wildfire incidence.

Pacific Power said the company would issue warning to its customers and local officials 24 hours before so as to prepare for power turning-off and to address populations.

Pacific Power will start installing remote cameras and more weather stations so as to track regions with greater fire risk.

Local Community Views on PSPS Program

However, the local community shared a mixed opinion on the PSPS program.

 Jenny Hackleman is concerned over the step as most of her food products remains cold such as ‘poke bowls,’ acai smoothies, and ‘raw fish.’  She is the head of Basik Acai Café located at Hood River.

Further, she said, the café entirely depends on power to work, and for its workers, the cafe is the only way to earn their livelihood. Maximum products are frozen, and we require electricity for that.

While other people believe they are executing the plan very fast.  However, Pacific Power mention failing to take steps now will lead to another disaster in the future.

Pacific Power Organizes Public Meetings

 The Pacific Power firm is organizing several public meeting throughout the region to talk on wildfire mitigation plans and to guarantee the safety of its customers. The Oregon Public Utility Commission also hosted several meetings. Below are some of the details of Pacific Power public meeting

• A first public meeting was held on July 9, 2019, at Grants Pass, Taprock Event Center at 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm.
• 10^th July 2019 meeting held at Roseburg in Douglas County Fairgrounds Cascade Hall. Time from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm
• 11^th July 2019 public meeting at Medford in Ramada Hotel and Conference Center
• 17^th July 2019 public meeting at Hood River in Best Western Plus Hood River.