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Wildfire Prevention

All articles tagged with #wildfire prevention

PG&E Executes Statewide Power Shutoffs as Fire Risk Peaks
infrastructure-and-safety1 day ago

PG&E Executes Statewide Power Shutoffs as Fire Risk Peaks

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) has activated Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) across 29 California counties to mitigate wildfire risks during a period of high winds and dry conditions. The utility cut power to approximately 70,000 to 90,000 customers between Wednesday and Saturday, with specific impacts in Berkeley, the North Bay, and Northern California. While the shutoffs were intended to prevent ignitions, they coincided with a 5-acre brush fire in Lake County and caused the failure of critical wildfire monitoring cameras. PG&E expects to restore power in the East Bay by Friday, though some areas may remain offline until Saturday.

via The Berkeley Scanner|
#berkeley#california#infrastructure-and-safety
PG&E Expands Planned Power Shutoffs to 70,000 Customers in 29 Counties
energy-and-infrastructure4 days ago

PG&E Expands Planned Power Shutoffs to 70,000 Customers in 29 Counties

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has expanded its planned Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) to affect approximately 70,000 customers across 29 California counties this week. The utility cited dry vegetation and gusty winds as the primary drivers for the expanded scope, which now includes 3,920 medical baseline customers and five tribal governments. The outages are scheduled to occur between Wednesday and Saturday, with the strongest winds expected in the Sierra, Southern Central Coast, and parts of the North and East Bay regions.

via KCRA|
#california#energy-and-infrastructure#grid-management
Trump Administration Moves to Remove Roadless Forest Protections
environment1 year ago

Trump Administration Moves to Remove Roadless Forest Protections

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the rescinding of the 2001 Roadless Rule, which restricts road construction and timber harvest on nearly 59 million acres of national forests. This move aims to improve forest management, reduce wildfire risks, and boost economic development in rural areas by allowing more local decision-making and responsible resource use.

via USDA (.gov)|
#environment#forest-management#forests
"Xcel Energy's Power Cuts Spark Frustration and Financial Loss in Colorado"
energy-environment2 years ago

"Xcel Energy's Power Cuts Spark Frustration and Financial Loss in Colorado"

Xcel Energy-Colorado took the unprecedented step of cutting power to some parts of the Front Range to minimize the risk of wildfires as strong winds walloped the region, leading to blowback from affected customers and officials. The move, aimed at preventing a repeat of the devastating Marshall fire, resulted in complaints about lack of notice and communication, as well as concerns about unintended consequences such as sewage overflow. Xcel Energy faces lawsuits over previous fires, and while the company insists the power shutdown was solely for public safety, critics accuse it of trying to avoid more legal action.

via The Denver Post|
#colorado#energy-environment#power-outage
"Startup BurnBot Raises $20M to Develop High-Tech Wildfire Prevention Technology"
technology2 years ago

"Startup BurnBot Raises $20M to Develop High-Tech Wildfire Prevention Technology"

As California braces for another wildfire season, startup BurnBot is developing high-tech solutions for prevention, with its RX model using robotics to burn away dry vegetation without emitting harmful smoke. The company recently secured a $20 million funding round to expand its operations and develop new machines capable of navigating steeper terrains. BurnBot's innovative approach aims to make fire prevention efforts more effective and environmentally friendly, with plans to conduct prescribed burns for organizations like CalTrans and Pacific Gas & Electric. The startup's goal is to eventually expand its operations beyond California to areas with high wildfire risk across the United States.

via CNBC|
#burnbot#california#climate-change
HECO's Negligence and Lawsuits: The Aftermath of Maui's Deadly Fires
environment3 years ago

HECO's Negligence and Lawsuits: The Aftermath of Maui's Deadly Fires

Bare, uninsulated electrical wires and leaning power poles owned by Hawaiian Electric Co. are being investigated as possible causes of the deadly wildfires in Maui. Videos and images analyzed by The Associated Press confirmed that the wires were left exposed to the weather and foliage, despite efforts by other utilities in wildfire-prone areas to cover or bury their lines. Many of the utility's wooden power poles were also described as being in poor condition and not meeting safety standards. Hawaiian Electric is now facing lawsuits and criticism for its lack of action in preventing the fires. Other utilities in California have been addressing the issue by insulating wires and burying lines in high-risk areas.

via POLITICO|
#bare-electrical-wire#environment#hawaiian-electric-co
Neglected power lines and exposed wires blamed for deadly Maui fires
environment3 years ago

Neglected power lines and exposed wires blamed for deadly Maui fires

Bare, uninsulated electrical wires and leaning, outdated power poles were potential causes of the deadly Maui fires in Hawaii. Videos and images analyzed by The Associated Press confirmed that the wires were left exposed to the weather and foliage by Hawaiian Electric, despite efforts by other utilities in wildfire-prone areas to cover or bury their lines. Many of the utility's wooden power poles were described as built to an obsolete standard and were near the end of their projected lifespan. Experts agree that insulated wires would not have sparked and caused fires in dry vegetation. Hawaiian Electric is now facing lawsuits and criticism for not shutting off power during high wind warnings and for its lack of action in addressing the issue of bare wire. Other utilities in California have taken steps to eliminate uninsulated wire and bury electrical lines in high-risk areas.

via CNBC|
#bare-electrical-wire#environment#hawaiian-electric
Investigation Reveals Potential Causes of Deadly Fires on Maui: Bare Electrical Wire and Leaning Poles
environment3 years ago

Investigation Reveals Potential Causes of Deadly Fires on Maui: Bare Electrical Wire and Leaning Poles

Bare, uninsulated electrical wires and leaning, outdated power poles owned by Hawaiian Electric Co. are being investigated as possible causes of the deadly fires that ravaged Maui. Videos and images analyzed by The Associated Press confirmed that the bare wires sparked flames when they came into contact with dry grass. Hawaiian Electric Co. has faced criticism for leaving miles of uninsulated wires exposed to the weather and foliage, despite efforts by other utilities in wildfire-prone areas to cover or bury their lines. Many of the utility's wooden power poles were also in poor condition and did not meet the national standard for withstanding high winds. The utility is now facing lawsuits and calls for improved safety measures to prevent future wildfires.

via Honolulu Star-Advertiser|
#bare-electrical-wire#environment#hawaiian-electric-co
Investigation into Maui Fires Reveals Negligence by Power Company
environment3 years ago

Investigation into Maui Fires Reveals Negligence by Power Company

Bare, uninsulated electrical wires and leaning power poles owned by Hawaiian Electric Co. are being investigated as possible causes of the deadly fires that ravaged Maui. Videos and images analyzed by The Associated Press confirmed that the wires were among miles of line left exposed to the weather and foliage, despite efforts by other utilities in wildfire-prone areas to cover or bury their lines. Many of Hawaiian Electric's wooden power poles were described as built to an obsolete standard and were near the end of their projected lifespan. The utility is now facing lawsuits and criticism for its failure to address these safety concerns, including the use of bare metal conductors and the lack of preemptive power shutoffs. Other utilities in California have taken steps to insulate their lines and bury electrical wires in high-risk areas. Experts emphasize the need for utilities to better prepare for climate change-related risks to prevent future wildfires.

via Yahoo News|
#bare-electrical-wire#environment#hawaiian-electric-co
Hawaiian Electric's Neglect of Wildfire Safety Raises Concerns Amid Renewable Energy Focus
energyenvironment3 years ago

Hawaiian Electric's Neglect of Wildfire Safety Raises Concerns Amid Renewable Energy Focus

Hawaiian Electric, Hawaii's largest electricity supplier, prioritized its pursuit of renewable energy over wildfire prevention, spending only $245,000 on wildfire-specific projects between 2019 and 2022. The utility company focused on converting to renewables after a spike in oil prices in 2008 and a state mandate to derive 100% of electricity from renewable sources by 2045. However, this focus may have come at the cost of fire mitigation, as the company is now facing scrutiny for not shutting down power lines during high winds that contributed to devastating wildfires in Maui. Proposed class action lawsuits have been filed against Hawaiian Electric, alleging negligence in maintaining the grid and failure to prevent the fires.

via Daily Mail|
#energyenvironment#hawaiian-electric#maui-wildfires
Goats in San Francisco: From Traffic Blockers to Wildfire Protectors
environment3 years ago

Goats in San Francisco: From Traffic Blockers to Wildfire Protectors

A non-profit organization called City Grazing is using a herd of 128 goats to prevent wildfires in San Francisco by grazing on the lush grass that can become dry and brown in the summer, turning into fuel for wildfires. The goats also serve an educational purpose, teaching students about sustainability and regenerating the land. The program is coordinated with local groups and has been successful in limiting the fire hazard.

via CBS News|
#education#environment#goats