Wildfire Mitigation Efforts

After completing inspections on all overhead transmission, distribution and generation equipment located in high fire risk areas in 2019, we continue to annually inspect the highest risk structures identified by our advanced risk models. Ground inspections by field crews and aerial inspections using drones and helicopters are conducted to obtain a 360-degree view of our equipment for any needed maintenance, repair or replacement.

We’re installing new or improved devices and technologies to reduce the likelihood that our electrical system will be the source of ignition. Some of these measures are also part of our concerted efforts to minimize the number of impacted customers during a PSPS. Replacing bare wire with insulated wire, also known as covered conductor, significantly reduces the possibility of the power line arcing or sparking if contact occurs with an object like a tree branch or metallic balloon. Fast-acting fuses interrupt current more quickly and reduce the risk of ignitions when there is an electrical fault, such as when a tree falls on a power line during high winds.

As of the end of June 2021:

• Insulated Wire (Covered Conductor): 2,020+ miles installed
• Fast Acting Fuses: 13,100+ fuses installed
• Continuing to replace power poles in high fire risk areas with fire-resistant composite poles or wood poles with a fire-resistant wrap to reduce the risk of damaged poles during an emergency and allow for quicker power restoration

Monitoring conditions is one of the many ways we can better predict wildfire risks and follow real-time weather conditions. By expanding the number of weather stations installed, we are able to further refine our weather forecasting and modeling capabilities. These enhanced capabilities and additional sectionalizing devices allow for more targeted PSPS events, minimizing the number of people affected.

• Weather Stations: 1,160+ installed
• Wildfire Cameras: 166 cameras installed thoroughly covering high fire risk areas

We are increasing our computing power to be able to model the atmosphere at a higher resolution in order to produce more granular weather forecasts for improved PSPS decisions. We are also evaluating fire spread modeling technology, which has the potential to determine impacts to communities from wildfires during extreme weather events.

Learn More About How Weather Impacts PSPS

We’re continuing our efforts to inspect, trim and remove trees to prevent vegetation from coming into contact with electrical equipment and potentially sparking a fire. Tall trees that have the potential to fall into power lines beyond our standard pruning zones are also assessed.

• Inspect 1.4 million trees annually and prune nearly 900,000 of these trees. There are more than 700,000 trees in high fire risk areas.
• Annually assess at least 150,000 hazard trees in high fire risk areas for hazardous conditions and remove them if deemed unsafe.

Learn More About Hazard Trees

We’re providing backup generation and battery solutions to prepare our customers and communities for potential emergencies and outages. These programs and services will help minimize the impact of PSPS, especially for our most vulnerable communities.

• Rebates on portable power stations, generators and battery storage
• Critical Care Backup Battery program that provides no-cost backup battery for eligible income-qualified customers who rely on medical equipment and live in a high fire risk area
• Resiliency zones that provide temporary backup generation for essential services such as pharmacies, grocery stores and gas stations, in rural communities during PSPS
• Launched a microgrid resiliency pilot with San Jacinto High School. Microgrids, or self-contained electric grids, can provide around-the-clock energy for a limited time and can operate while tied to the larger electric system and separated or “islanded” from it. A second pilot site has been identified for a school in San Bernardino County to mitigate the impacts of PSPS for nearby communities.