Wildfire Preparedness

Safety is a community effort that takes all of us working together. As your electric co-op, we’re taking steps to reduce wildfire risks wherever possible. Preparing for potential wildfires requires everyone to do their part and it’s important that you also take action at home. Lane Electric is here to support you.


Prepare For Possible Power Shutoffs or Evacuation

Knowing what to expect when it’s time for a shutoff or evacuation provides a sense of calm during a stressful situation. Here are tips to prepare and assemble the right supplies.

  • Complete Your Wildfire Safety Checklist
    Create a plan and share it with your family and neighbors. Identify multiple evacuation routes, list emergency contacts, and decide who will grab pets. Download and complete Your Wildfire Safety Checklist (PDF).
  • Build your emergency kit
    Supplies like bottled water, nonperishable food, first aid kits and more can keep your family comfortable and safe during an emergency. Find the full list of essential items in Your Wildfire Safety Checklist (PDF).
  • Get notified
    Sign up for public safety, severe weather and wildfire alerts from the National Weather Service through the AlertSense signup. When wildfire risk is high, this will keep you informed about next steps to take.
  • Stay connected
    In the event of a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), Lane Electric may attempt to contact you to share next steps. Log in to your account and make sure your contact information is up to date.
Your Wildfire Safety Checklist (PDF)


Protect Your Home & Neighborhood from Wildfires

Just as we’re clearing plants and trees away from power lines, it’s important for you to create a defensible space around your property. Consider taking steps every year before fire season to keep your home safe. You can also reference Your Wildfire Safety Checklist (PDF) for additional information. If your home or business was damaged in a 2020 wildfire you may be eligible for a grant to help harden your home (PDF).

1

Take a close look at your home

2

Clear vegetation around your property perimeter

3

Plant fire-resistant vegetation, water regularly

4

Use fire-resistant building materials wherever you can

 


Know When It’s Time To Leave

Are you familiar with Lane County’s evacuation levels? These are used for any potential or immediate threat to county residents—not just for wildfires. As we collectively prepare for fire season, familiarize yourself with the levels and messages. It’s important to sign up for alerts from Lane County, as they and other local authorities will share alerts during an emergency situation. Sign up for the county’s Emergency Alert System.


What Is Lane Electric Doing To Protect The Community?

To prepare for the wildfires, Lane Electric developed a Wildfire Mitigation Plan (PDF) to ensure the safety of our communities, minimize sources of ignition, and improve the resiliency of our system. Here’s a snapshot of our efforts.

Keeping Powerlines Clear

Our vegetation management staff trim and remove trees and perform regular maintenance to prevent potential wildfire ignition.

Hardening the System

We’re undergrounding existing overhead electrical infrastructure to reduce wildfire risk.

Implementing Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS)

We initiate Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) as a preventative step to reduce risk during extreme weather conditions.


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