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Power company to hold wildfire safety meetings By Vickie Aldous Updated: Oct 14, 2022 04:11 PM A A Pacific Power employees work on power lines. [Photo courtesy of Pacific Power] Pacific Power will host a series of in-person and online public meetings in Southern Oregon about its efforts to improve the electrical system and reduce the risk of wildfire. The company has identified areas around Medford, the Applegate Valley, Grants Pass, Cave Junction and Roseburg as having some of the highest wildfire risk in Oregon. That assessment is based on the risk of wildfire, harm to people and property damage. Pacific Power plans to target improvements in the highest risk areas of the state. Steps to improve system safety include trimming trees around power lines, insulating lines so they don’t spark fires and adding devices in the field that can monitor conditions and shut off sections of lines, as well as building hundreds of weather stations to improve monitoring and forecasting, according to Pacific Power. The power company also could shut down parts of the system if forecasts predict dangerous conditions. During the meetings, residents can hear about Pacific Power’s safety efforts and provide input for its 2023 Wildfire Mitigation Plan. “We’re looking forward to having this important conversation with customers and community stakeholders while getting their feedback on our wildfire mitigation plan,” said Amy McClusky, managing director of wildfire safety and asset management for Pacific Power. The following meetings are scheduled: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Jackson County Expo Mace Watchable Wildlife Center, 1 Peninger Road, Central Point. To attend via the videoconference service Zoom, visit us06web.zoom.us/j/89845669331?pwd=bXQzRm53eFpaMWdDMHlUbG5tWU8vQT09. The webinar ID is 89845669331 and the passcode is 940184. 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, at Seven Feathers Resort and Casino, 146 Chief Miwaleta Lane, Canyonville. The Zoom link is us06web.zoom.us/j/86337895462?pwd=dUJ5amkxTDd4L3E2UlgwRml6MFBBQT09. The webinar ID is 86337895462 and the passcode is 152543. 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, Josephine County Fairgrounds, 1451 Fairgrounds Road, Grants Pass. The Zoom link is us06web.zoom.us/j/87936876298?pwd=S2ZqM21RUCt5R1prQUNpTmNwVVZKUT09. The webinar ID is 87936876298 and the passcode is 822401. Each forum will have on-site Spanish and American Sign Language interpreting services and will be livestreamed and recorded. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information on Pacific Power’s wildfire mitigation practices, see pacificpower.net/wildfiresafety . Oregon law now requires power companies to develop wildfire protection plans. Pacific Power has faced lawsuits claiming its electric lines sparked destructive wildfires in Oregon and other states. The most recent spate of lawsuits allege its equipment started the McKinney Fire that killed four people in Northern California this summer. Pacific Gas & Electric, which serves California, also has been hit with lawsuits and regulatory fines. Reach Mail Tribune reporter Vickie Aldous at 541-776-4486 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @VickieAl d ous.