Our Wildfire Mitigation Plan

When forecasts predict hotter and drier weather, the risk of wildfires grows, prompting utilities like Modern Electric Water Company (Modern) to take additional precautions to reduce these risks. There are a number of things utilities can do to make the power system and their operations more resilient and to reduce risk of wildfires. Locally, a lot of attention has been given to the possibility of pre-emptively de-energizing electric systems during Red Flag Warning weather conditions. Avista Utilities, with its vast service territory spanning the Inland NW and North Idaho, has peppered the news with warnings of possible Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). You can read about Avista’s wildfire resiliency plans here.

Modern, with a much smaller (5 square miles) service territory has taken a similar approach, albeit with a much less likely need for Public Safety Power Shutoff events.

Modern’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan & Comprehensive Fire Prevention Approach

In response to recent national/regional/local wildfires as well as state legislation and Department of Natural Resources guidance, Modern has developed and implemented its own Wildfire Mitigation Plan, which can be viewed here. 

Additionally, Modern employs several tactics to help reduce utility-caused wildfires and to minimize electric outages and their risks throughout the year. Some of these include:

• Aggressive vegetation management (tree trimming) by 3rd-party contractor and in-house crews to keep branches from contacting overhead powerlines. (NOTE: Trees are the property owner’s responsibility, but Modern can often help where lines are closest to the overhead powerlines.)
• Weather and system monitoring using local and national forecasting and reporting services as well as our own SCADA monitoring and alarming systems
• Hardening and replacement of certain distribution equipment such as poles, crossarms, insulators and connectors
• Increased system-wide inspection frequency of overhead distribution equipment
• Modified speed and operating characteristics of protection settings for overhead distribution system relays
• Modified personnel readiness and dispatch posture
• Increased public and first-responder outreach

Potential Impacts on Modern Customers

You might wonder how Avista’s Public Safety Power Shutoff plan could affect Modern customers. Here’s how it works: Modern purchases all of its power from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), which is delivered via transmission lines owned by BPA and Avista. Consequently, power disruptions initiated by BPA or Avista, such as those from a BPA- or Avista-initiated Public Safety Power Shutoff, could impact Modern customers. However, urban and suburban areas, such as in Modern’s service area, are less likely to experience a Public Safety Power Shutoff compared to rural or wildland regions.

Only under the most-extreme conditions, which are very rare, would Modern initiate its own Public Safety Power Shutoff event. But, be aware that outages from other causes do occur, and during fire season, restoration times could be longer than typical.

What Can You Do?

We encourage Modern’s customers and the community to stay informed about fire mitigation measures, possible power interruptions, and what they can do themselves to lessen the impact of fires on their properties.

Modern cannot guarantee uninterrupted power or immediate restoration. Customers should follow these safety tips:

• Minimize and keep debris and clutter away from your home or business.
• Remove dead trees or branches which will fall during storms – Call Modern if you have questions.
• Stay clear of downed power lines and assume they are energized. Avoid touching anything in contact with a downed line.
• Do not attempt to remove trees or branches from power lines.
• Turn off appliances that were on when the power went out.
• Leave an exterior light on so electric crews know when power is restored.
• Keep a battery-operated radio or TV to receive updates. Modern will provide updates to the media during large outages.
• Have a basic phone or cell phone available for calls, as many recently manufactured phones require power to operate.
• Always report power outages or electrical emergencies; do not assume someone else will call.

By staying informed and prepared, you can help ensure your safety and resilience during wildfire season.