When you think of wildfires, you probably think of states out west – and it’s true, that’s where a majority happen. But wildfires are possible anywhere when the conditions are right. And it’s becoming a more common risk.

“We’re seeing a lot of firsts related to wildfires; Texas just had their largest wildfire in state history, and Hawaii had the massive Maui wildfires,” said Emily Duke, senior strategy director. “Unprecedented things will continue to happen as the weather patterns change.”

To be prepared, we’re announcing another first – our very own wildfire risk mitigation plan (the first formalized by an energy provider in the Midwest).

“Wildfires have become more prevalent and a key risk in the utility industry,” said Duke. The company realized it was important to have a plan to get ahead of the growing risk.

Being proactive allows us to get ahead of it and take a measured, proactive approach so we’re not forced to be reactive like others have been.

Our plan is focused on the areas identified by FEMA as high and moderate wildfire risk. “We are prioritizing the ‘relatively high’ first but also addressing the ‘relatively moderate’ over time,” said Duke. Combined those two areas cover about 21% of our service territory – over 6,000 square miles.

Red Flag Warnings

The National Weather Service declares red flag warnings when there are warm temperatures, very low humidities and stronger winds. These conditions combined can cause an increased risk of fire danger.

Red flag warnings are usually issued between March and August, but most often between April and June, which aligns with timing for most of the Michigan wildfires we’ve seen. According to the DNR, about 10% of all wildfires have been utility caused, but in a starkly different stat, nearly nine out of 10 wildfires are human caused. Our mitigation plan will not only focus on reducing the risk of utility caused wildfires, but it will ensure we have wildfire-specific emergency response plans in place in case of a wildfire caused by any source.

Last year, in Crawford County, we were asked to reactively decommission a transmission line to help local emergency responders combat a wildfire. Another large wildfire occurred in May of 2010 when a resident in Crawford County – with a permit to burn – caused a wildfire when the leaves he was burning got out of control. More than 8,500 acres were burned, which is a good reminder that even if you can burn, doesn’t mean you should.

For nearly 80 years, Smokey the Bear has been the face of wildfire safety, reminding residents that “Only YOU can prevent forest fires.”

As an energy provider, we are taking ownership of that and have several mitigation activities planned to protect our system, and therefore our customers, from wildfire ignition risks.

Wildfire Risk Mitigation

The objective of our wildfire risk mitigation plan is to improve our distribution system to provide reliable energy to our customers while hardening and protecting against wildfire ignition risks.

Our planned mitigation activities include:

  • Situational Awareness: Monitor weather and any heightened wildfire risk warnings (including Red Flag warnings) to respond to wildfire risks.
  • Operational Procedures: This includes modifying field operating procedures and recloser settings to reduce the risk of ignition during elevated wildfire risk periods, evaluating the need for a plan to proactively deenergize specific areas during extreme risk periods, and establishing an emergency preparedness action plan to allow us to act quickly in case of wildfire danger.
  • System Hardening: This is similar to work we already do to improve reliability – such as undergrounding and covered conductors, but we’re targeting specific areas with the highest potential of eliminating wildfire risks. We’re also looking at other technology and equipment that will reduce wildfire risk in high-risk areas.

Burning Safely

Smokey the Bear’s warning isn’t just for utilities, or residents in elevated risk areas. We all play a part in preventing wildfires. If you’re planning to do some burning, it’s important to take all necessary precautions. First, check the fire conditions in your area to make sure there isn’t a red flag or other warning and obtain any necessary permits. If it’s safe to do so, proceed carefully by taking the following precautions:

  • Always have a water source nearby
  • Never leave a fire unattended, even for a minute
  • Keep a metal shovel and bucket nearby
  • Put out fires completely with water every time
  • Do not burn on windy days or during dry weather