LIGH READING
Essential information for this wildfire season
What you need to know about Inland Power’s fire safety mode.
Wildfire
season has increasingly posed challenges in our region in recent years. Since 2024, Washington state has recognized May as Wildfire Awareness Month. This initiative provides an excellent opportunity to discuss and learn about safety measures everyone can adopt during wildfire season. Utilities across the region are actively implementing preventive strategies to address these threats through wildfire mitigation plans. These strategies involve vegetation management, as well as strategic tree pruning and removal, to keep power lines clear, enhancing public safety and grid security. Inland Power also diligently monitors our service territory, particularly in areas at moderate to high risk for wildfires. When necessary, we will switch these regions to non-reclose or “fire safety mode” within our system.
What is fire safety mode?
Fire safety mode represents an alternative operational strategy for our electrical distribution system, prioritizing system security and public safety over regular operations, which may lead to increased service interruptions.
Under normal circumstances, when an external object, like a tree branch, contacts our power lines, our devices detect the short circuit, briefly interrupt power, and then try to automatically restore it. If the obstruction is cleared, power is reestablished quickly, resulting in only a minor service interruption or blink. However, in fire safety mode, this automatic restoration functionality is turned off (non-reclose) in areas identified as having a higher wildfire risk. Consequently, service disruptions that would typically be momentary will instead be prolonged, necessitating a crew to manually inspect and restore power.
Fire safety mode is currently scheduled to commence around June 1, 2025; however, this date may change depending on weather conditions. Once initiated, fire safety mode will remain active throughout the dry season and will only be deactivated when burn bans are lifted and cooler weather returns.
How can I determine if I reside in a region with a heightened risk of wildfires?
Regions characterized by forested land and a significant level of human activity typically have an increased wildfire risk. This risk is mainly concentrated in the
central and northern sections of our service area, particularly in the vicinity of the Little Spokane River natural area, which is located outside city limits.
What steps can I take to prepare?
If you have a tree on your property that is dead, dying, or uprooted and poses a risk of falling into overhead power lines, please reach out to our office to schedule a visit with one of our vegetation management specialists. They will assess the tree and arrange for its removal if necessary.
Maintaining trimmed vegetation and clearing excess fuel sources, such as brush piles and debris, around your buildings can help create a defensible space around your home. This will reduce the risk of combustion and assist firefighters in protecting your property during a wildfire.
For additional guidance on wildfire risk mitigation, consult local land management authorities. Spokane County residents can find more information by visiting the Spokane County Conservation District website at spokanecd.org or the Lincoln County Conservation District website at lincolncd.com
Our mission is our members!
Inland Power is my cooperative!
IPL Community Foundation Scholarship Recipients
The Inland Power Community Foundation recently awarded 15 - $1,000 scholarships to legal dependents of Inland Power members. Funding for the Inland Power Excellence Award is made possible by the Inland Power Community Foundation. The Foundation’s committee also serves as the scholarship committee.
The Inland Power Community Foundation was developed to generate and collect charitable donations to improve the quality of life for the communities we serve through individual, family and nonprofit organization donations. To learn more or donate to the Foundation, visit inlandpower.com/community-foundationinlandpower.foundation. Congratulations to this year’s group of recipients!
Start your path toward Building Energy Savings Today!
The BEST low interest financing program (5%) is a great opportunity to get energy saving projects completed in your home or commercial building! This tariff program is offered to members for specific energy savings projects that are allowed under the Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP), which is overseen by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) office. Identify your energy savings project and learn more!
Lighting
HVAC
Heat Pumps
Appliances
Insulation
Solar and/or Battery Storage
For more information on the BEST program, visit inlandpower.com/best-program, or call 509-747-7151
Unlock energy savings for your home with BEST!
2025 Annual Meeting
Inland Power’s 88th Annual Meeting was held on March 29, 2025, at Northern Quest Casino and Resort in Airway Heights, Washington. We were delighted to see so many members in attendance.
The Annual Meeting serves as an excellent opportunity to connect with our members, offer a thorough update on our cooperative, and elect the Board of Trustee candidates for 2025.
The election results revealed that Kristina Bahr was re-elected to represent District Four, while Jim Kroll was re-elected to serve District Six.
The board members and leadership of Inland Power shared a cooperative report with attendees, covering a diverse range of topics including operations, power supply, financial status, and our IPL Community Foundation. “We recognize that our role is more than just supplying power—it’s about ensuring homes stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer, businesses stay productive, farms continue to operate, and families have the energy they need to thrive.” said Inland Power Board President, Garry Rosman during his President’s report. “We are grateful for your support, patience, and understanding as we navigate these various challenges. Inland Power is more than just an energy provider—we are a community. And together, we will build a stronger, more resilient energy future.”
A heartfelt thank you to all the meeting attendees and Inland Power members who took part in the board of trustees election process. To see more photos from the event, please visit inlandpower.com/annualmeeting .
Congratulations to the following members who won our ballot election drawing: Adam Rosenborough- $500 Visa gift card, John Fisher - $250 bill credit, Charles Michael - $250 Visa gift card
