Wildfire season and fire safety mode

As the hot summer months arrive, so does the ongoing threat of wildfires. In recent years, the western United States has experienced more intense and widespread wildfires. According to the Washington Forest Protection Association, nearly 175,000 acres burned in Washington state in 2022. Factors that can contribute to an increase in wildfire risk include vegetation overgrowth and pest infestation. Both can turn a healthy forest into fuel during wildfire season.

Across our region, utilities continue to take preventable measures to combat threats through wildfire mitigation plans. These plans include vegetation management and strategic tree trimming and pruning to keep lines clear to improve public safety and the security of the grid. Inland Power closely monitors our service territory in moderate to high-risk wildfire areas. We will place these areas on non-reclose or “fire safety mode” in our system when necessary.

What is fire safety mode?

Fire safety mode is an alternative way of operating our electrical distribution system where we prioritize system security and public safety higher over normal operations resulting in a higher incidence of service disruptions.