At KPUD, fire season readiness is a year-round priority. As weather patterns shift and fire risk increases, our mitigation efforts continue to evolve to protect our infrastructure, communities, and natural resources.
Ongoing Monitoring and Risk Assessment
KPUD staff continuously monitors daily weather forecasts and fire conditions. As we approach and enter fire season, we actively evaluate regional fire activity, assess areas with elevated fire potential, and collaborate on strategies to reduce risk.
While KPUD does not participate in Public Safety Power Shutoffs and does not plan to preemptively disconnect power due to weather conditions, we have implemented targeted infrastructure settings to minimize fire risk caused by electrical equipment.
System Adjustments to Reduce Fire Risk
One key mitigation strategy involves adjusting protective equipment called reclosers in fire-prone areas. Reclosers work like circuit breakers and are typically programmed to automatically open and close in an attempt to clear faults on a power line. If the fault isn’t cleared after several attempts, the recloser shuts off power to that line section.
To reduce fire risk, KPUD disables the reclosing function in high-risk areas during fire season. This causes the power line to immediately deenergize when a fault is detected, preventing repeated electrical activity that could spark a fire. Crews are then dispatched to identify the source of the fault—such as a downed line or vegetation contact—before reenergizing the line.
Infrastructure Improvements and Safety Protocols
As part of our ongoing system improvements, KPUD has installed over 45 additional reclosers in areas identified as high fire risk. These added reclosers help isolate faults more precisely, reduce patrol areas, and minimize the number of customers affected by outages.
During fire season, enhanced safety procedures are in place. Any power line protected by an altered recloser must be physically inspected before it can be reenergized. KPUD staff carefully plans these inspections in advance—identifying required personnel, equipment (such as drones or ATVs), and estimated patrol time to ensure thorough and safe assessments.
These additional inspection requirements may result in delayed restoration times. We monitor conditions weekly to enable or disable protective settings based on the weather outlook. When potential delays are expected, KPUD uses automated phone alerts to notify affected customers in advance.
Stay Informed and Prepared
We encourage customers to verify and update their contact information through the SmartHub app or online portal. Accurate contact details ensure you receive timely notifications during outages or emergency conditions.
You can also use SmartHub to report power outages and submit photos of visible damage. As always, please stay clear of downed power lines—they may still be energized, even if your home is without power.
If you need assistance, contact KPUD Customer Service at 800–548-8357.