🔥💥 BILLIONS lost to wildfires! See how AltaLink is fighting back to protect Alberta! 🚨 #Olds #Alberta
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AltaLink's Efforts to Mitigate Wildfire Risks and Costs
As wildfires continue to pose a significant threat across Alberta, AltaLink is stepping up its efforts to protect communities and maintain a reliable power supply. With billions spent on restoring power disrupted by extreme weather and wildfires, the company is adopting proactive measures to reduce risks and enhance safety.
Rising Wildfire Threats and AltaLink’s Response
Speaking to the Woodlands County Council on August 14, Colin Harvey, AltaLink's Municipal and Community Relations Officer, highlighted the urgent need for wildfire mitigation. “Wildfires have become quite a significant feature on the landscape,” said Harvey. He noted that although many fires have been sparked by power lines, they generally haven't been catastrophic—yet the broader impact on AltaLink’s transmission infrastructure has been severe.
A striking example of the economic toll of wildfires was the 2016 Fort McMurray blaze, which racked up costs exceeding $6 billion. AltaLink is determined to protect its customers and communities, boost system resiliency, and reduce uninsured risks associated with such natural disasters.
AltaLink’s Wildfire Mitigation Strategy
Launched in 2019, AltaLink’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan has been continually evolving, focusing on safeguarding communities while delivering reliable power. Their comprehensive approach includes six key focus areas:
Enhanced Situational Awareness: Leveraging weather monitoring, forecasting, cameras, and weather stations to keep tabs on conditions that could elevate fire risks.
Facility Risk Reduction: Modifying infrastructure, such as replacing wooden arms on power poles with steel, to minimize fire damage and enhance system durability.
Scientific Assessment of Fire Threats: Using fire threat maps and data to identify high-risk zones and adjust operations accordingly.
Incremental Operational Practices: Intensifying efforts to manage vegetation, increase inspections, and bolster monitoring, especially on days classified as high-risk.
Resource Allocation on Extreme Risk Days: Committing additional personnel and resources to monitor and assess conditions when the threat level peaks.
Public Safety Power Shutoffs as a Last Resort: In extreme weather conditions, AltaLink may proactively shut off power to prevent fires from igniting. “It’s not something we want to do,” Harvey emphasized, “but public safety always comes first.”
Communicating Power Shutoff Decisions
Should a Public Safety Power Shutoff become necessary, AltaLink has a detailed plan to inform the public well in advance. Key factors like wind conditions, humidity, vegetation dryness, and real-time observations all play a role in the decision-making process. In September, AltaLink plans to begin targeted community outreach efforts to boost awareness and improve emergency preparedness.
A Leader in Transmission and Wildfire Mitigation
AltaLink operates over 13,000 kilometers of transmission lines and 300 substations, making it Alberta’s largest transmission facility operator. Their commitment to wildfire mitigation reflects a broader industry trend toward heightened safety measures in the face of increasingly severe weather patterns.
As wildfires grow more frequent and intense, companies like AltaLink are at the forefront, adapting and evolving to protect infrastructure and communities. Their efforts serve as a critical shield against the destructive forces of nature, ensuring that power keeps flowing even in the toughest of conditions