Several utility companies in the West have they will institute power blackouts in areas with high fire risk when conditions are particularly bad.
is one of those companies. It serves a large portion of the state. Chris Hofmann, director of grid reliability, said he鈥檚 watched wildfire risks grow over the years.
鈥淯tilities have to adapt,鈥� he said, 鈥渟o it just finally reached a head where it was like listen we鈥檝e gotta move to this.鈥�
Hofmann said the plan -- called the -- is a last resort for when factors like lightning, wind, and extreme heat arise in vulnerable locations near power lines. That鈥檚 when there鈥檚 a risk of those lines sparking flames like we saw in California鈥檚 deadly last year.
鈥淪o we have consultants,鈥� Hofmann said, 鈥渁 meteorological consultant as well as a fire risk consultant that help us determine the risks in those areas.鈥�
Temporary power outages could put people in danger too, but Hofmann said sparking the next big wildfire would be worse.
Several other utility companies have instituted including which serves Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho.
does not have a planned power outage program. Steve Berry with the agency said they have an aggressive mitigation project to prevent fires around important infrastructure, but to institute planned blackouts would require more extensive community dialogue.
This story was produced by the Mountain West 暗黑爆料 Bureau, a collaboration between Wyoming Public Media, Boise State Public Radio in Idaho, KUER in Salt Lake City, KUNR in Nevada and KRCC and KUNC in Colorado.
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