.png)
GUEST OPINION
In Pend Oreille County, wildfire season is more than dates on the calendar, it’s a season of shared responsibility. At Pend Oreille PUD, we prepare yearround by clearing vegetation around power lines, inspecting equipment, and investing in system upgrades to help reduce wildfire risk. But safety doesn’t start or end with us. It takes everyone – residents, agencies, landowners, communities, and neighbors working together to protect this wonderful place we all call home.
Wildfire threats in the Inland Northwest continue to grow, fueled by hotter, drier summers and more intense weather. While some causes are out of our control, we’re focused on what we can do, including changing how our system operates during the height of fire season.
As we’ve done in past years to protect the community, your PUD has now activated Fire-Safe Mode, a temporary operational change designed to reduce the risk of fire ignitions caused by power lines.
Normally, if something contacts a line - like a tree branch or animal - the system disconnects power and attempts to re-energize automatically. In Fire-Safe Mode, the system shuts off power at the first sign of trouble and does not attempt to re-energize. This reduces the chance of a spark that could potentially cause a fire in dry conditions. Before safely restoring power and re-energizing equipment, PUD crews must visually inspect all sections of line.
If a Red Flag Warning is issued, the PUD may enter Elevated Fire-Safe Mode, with even more sensitive settings. In this mode, no attempt to re-energize the line will be made until conditions improve and crews can safely inspect the area, which may not happen until after the Red Flag Warning has passed. While we understand the inconvenience, these precautions are in place to help prevent devastating wildfires.
These added layers of caution can lead to longer, sustained outages, especially during widespread fire weather. Because of this, we urge all customers to be ready for extended outages, especially if you rely on electricity for medical equipment, water pumps, or communication systems. Please make a backup plan and check in on neighbors who may need extra help.
If you use a generator, be sure to use it safely. Backfeed - when generator power flows back into utility lines - poses a life-threatening risk to PUD crews.
It can be deadly. Always use a transfer switch that meets code and never plug a generator directly into your home unless it’s properly installed and inspected by a licensed electrician. Generator safety doesn’t just protect your household; it protects the people working to restore power.
We also want to address a tool gaining attention across the West: Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS).
This policy allows utilities to proactively shut off power when fire risk is extreme, even if no fault has occurred. While Pend Oreille PUD has not implemented PSPS, we are evaluating whether it fits our region. It’s not a simple decision. While a PSPS can reduce fire risk, it also impacts essential services, such as refrigeration, water wells for fire suppression, fuel access, and medical care. Any future use of PSPS would be carefully coordinated with emergency responders and the public.
In the meantime, your PUD continues to focus on prevention. Trees growing near lines are a leading cause of outages in the county and pose serious wildfire threats. If you’re planning to prune or remove trees near overhead lines, please call us first. Our tree crews can evaluate the situation, and in some cases, we may remove hazardous trees at no cost. Never trim trees near power lines on your own. The risk of injury is too great.
If you see a broken branch on a line or a tree that looks dead or unstable near utility equipment, call us at 509-447-3137. We’ll assess and act.
It’s also worth remembering that nearly 90% of wildfires in the U.S. are human caused. That means prevention starts with each of us. Use equipment carefully. Never drag chains or park on dry grass.
Make sure campfires are fully extinguished, follow burn bans, and dispose of cigarettes and ashes safely.
Clear brush around your home, avoid fireworks during fire season, and stay informed by signing up for county emergency alerts through the Nixle system.
At Pend Oreille PUD, we remain committed to doing our part. Wildfire safety is a partnership and the more we prepare, communicate, and look out for each other, the stronger and safer we’ll be.
Wildfire season will always be a reality in our forested county. But so is our commitment to this community, and that’s something stronger than fire.
To learn more about Fire-Safe Mode, outage preparedness, or safe tree work near power lines, visit www.popud.org or call 509-447-3137.
