Safeguarding Our Communities Against Wildfire Risks
At Consumers Power Inc., protecting our members from wildfire threats is a core commitment. With hotter, drier seasons intensifying fire risks across our region, we’re adapting to meet these challenges head-on. That’s why we’re continuously refining our Operational Wildfire Risk Mitigation Plan, aligning it with cutting-edge industry standards to prevent fires while keeping power flowing reliably to your homes and businesses.
Our strategy rests on three key pillars:
Vegetation Control: Staying Ahead of the Curve
Keeping power lines clear of surrounding vegetation is essential for safety and service reliability. Our proactive efforts include:
- Routine pruning and removal of trees that could endanger electrical infrastructure
- Regular patrols to monitor and manage vegetation growth
- Utilize drone technology to monitor hard-to-reach areas, and proactively identify equipment issues before they escalate.
- Collaboration with landowners and local agencies to ensure safe conditions
Infrastructure Upgrades: Strengthening the Grid
We’re reinforcing our electrical network to withstand wildfire pressures through:
- Replacing wooden poles and crossarms with fire-resistant materials like steel, ductile iron, and fiberglass
- Converting select overhead lines to underground where practical and cost-effective
- Enhancing our systems with advanced tools like Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) software and electronic reclosers for smarter, safer operations
Operational Vigilance: Monitoring and Responding
Throughout wildfire season, our team keeps a sharp eye on weather patterns, fire potential, and evolving conditions across our service area. We’ve developed responsive protocols tailored to local needs, ensuring swift action when risks emerge.
CPI works hand-in-hand with state and local emergency management teams and first responders, sharing live updates and aligning efforts to protect our neighborhoods effectively.
Outages During Wildfire Season: What to Expect
To further reduce ignition risks, we adjust the settings on our reclosers—devices that automatically detect faults (like a branch hitting a line) and cut power to prevent sparks. During wildfire season, we make these reclosers more sensitive, meaning they shut off power faster and won’t attempt to restore it automatically. Instead, our crews visually inspect the lines before bringing power back online. While this may lead to more frequent or longer outages, it’s a critical step to prioritize your safety. While we understand that this can be inconvenient, the safety of our members and our communities is our top priority.
Your Role in Wildfire Preparedness
Homeowners have a critical role in reducing wildfire risks. Maintain your property by mowing the lawn, trimming branches near the roof or chimney to limit fire fuel, and replacing dry mulch with gravel near your home’s base. Prepare an emergency kit with essentials including flashlights, batteries, several gallons of water, non-perishable food, and a portable charger to maintain communication during outages. Identify two evacuation routes from your area, practice them with your household, and ensure your vehicle’s gas tank stays at least half full for a potential evacuation. Visit cpi.coop/safety/wildfire-safety for additional resources—your preparation strengthens our collective defense.
Together, through smart strategies, a tougher grid, and shared effort, we’re building a more resilient region against wildfire threats.