Preparing for Wildfire Season and Power Outages

During a severe weather event such as a wildfire or storm, power outages can happen due to damage to power lines and poles. Under specific circumstances, electric utilities may shutoff electricity during extreme and dangerous weather conditions that may cause electricity lines to spark wildfires. Are you prepared for the wildfire season and power outages?

How Utilities are Preparing for Wildfires

In recent years, Oregon’s summers have become longer, drier, and hotter. This has led to historic wildfires. In 2020, abnormal easterly dry winds led to the historic Labor Day fires. Oregon’s electric utilities, like Pacific Power and Portland General Electric, are now preparing for this year’s fire season.

Utilities are tracking weather patterns and shutting down electricity when needed. We know from past years that the electric grid can contribute to wildfires. Public safety shutoffs may be used to prevent wildfire spread and reduce costs for customers.

Oregon electric utilities will be using public safety shutoffs as a last resort. Shutting off power during fire season is itself a public hazard. Shutoffs can interrupt cell phone service, delay emergency response, and endanger the health of residents. Many people need home cooling and electricity access to manage medical conditions. Shutoffs are particularly hazardous when they coincide with extreme heat waves.

Not all areas are subject to these preventative outages. Only customers in certain high-risk zones will see public safety shutoffs. For more information about high-risk zones and safety shutoffs, refer to the following utility websites:

• Pacific Power
• Portland General Electric

How You Should Prepare for Wildfires

Oregonians should prepare for wildfires in the following ways:

• Make sure your electric and natural gas utility has updated contact information for your household.
• If there is a household member with a medical condition that requires power, contact your utility to obtain a medical certificate.
• In the event of a wildfire warning, prepare for an evacuation or outage by developing a plan and having food, medical equipment, and water ready.
• Download the FEMA app, which will alert you to real-time emergency alerts, and sign up for emergency notifications with your local city and/or county.
• If you are able, consider managing plants, wood piles, and debris 30 feet around your home to establish a defensible space.

For more information, visit https://www.oregon.gov/puc/safety/Pages/Power-Outage-Prep.aspx

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