Map of Phase 1 fire safety outage area
Phase 1 Area
Wildfire risk studies consistently identify the Lake Wenatchee, Plain and Chumstick Highway as the highest-risk areas in Chelan County. We may expand this plan to other high-risk areas in Chelan County as needed in the future.
The area includes about 3,500 electrical service meters and 250 wastewater customers, including:
- Lake Wenatchee, Kahler Glen to White River
- Coles Corner to Nason Creek, Merritt and Stevens Pass
- Plain, Chiwawa Loop Road, River Road, Ponderosa, Shugart Flats
- Chumstick Highway from the 7-mile marker (about 1 mile after Clark Canyon)
Fire Safety Outage Conditions
Throughout the summer, the PUD will monitor the weather forecasts using data from the Forest Service, state Department of Natural Resources and other weather-monitoring services. We will track several factors, including predicted wind gusts, humidity, fuel moisture and potential fire behavior.
Wind speed is one of the most important factors for a fire safety outage, because wind-blown branches and trees are one of the biggest threats to overhead power lines. The kind of conditions when we would consider a fire safety outage include wind speeds of 40 miles per hour or more.
The conditions that trigger a fire safety outage are different and generally more severe than those that would issue a red flag warning. Red flag warnings are expected several times every year. We’ve studied historical weather data, and the kind of conditions that may lead to a fire safety outage occur about every 5 - 7 years.
If we must use a fire safety outage, we will notify our customer-owners as soon as possible, ideally 48 hours in advance.
Learn More
Visit our
Frequently Asked Questions page for the answers to some of your questions or our
Wildfire Preparation Resources page for more information about partner agencies and resources to help you prepare for fire season.
Sign up for email updates about fire safety outages
here.
Do you want to learn more about how we developed this plan? Visit our
background page. Learn more about Chelan PUD's Wildfire Mitigation Program
here.
Do you have questions or comments about fire safety outages? Send them to
customeroutreach@chelanpud.org.