The past decade has brought many large wildfires to Chelan County and surrounding areas. Chelan County PUD conducts studies and performs regular maintenance and upgrades to harden the electrical system against fire danger.
Grubbing and Painting
Chelan PUD performs routine fire prevention work by clearing combustible materials like sagebrush, shrubs and tree limbs from the base of transmission and distribution poles, and applying fire retardant paint to the bottom six to eight feet of the pole. This program helps protect the electrical system from fires and extends the life expectancy of the wood poles.
Tree Trimming
PUD Arborists regularly inspect trees that have grown close to distribution and transmission overhead power lines, and these trees are pruned a safe distance away from the lines. This work decreases the risk of damage to power lines during a fire, or of branches falling into the lines and sparking a fire. To learn more about the PUD's tree trimming program, visit this page.