When fire danger is high, MPE places its system settings to a greater sensitivity.
This higher sensitivity setting, or “one shot” as it’s called in the industry, means that if anything contacts a power line, that area is immediately de-energized. By placing our system on “one shot,” MPE greatly reduces the chances of starting a fire. The trade-off is that our members may experience more frequent outages in this setting.
MPE works with the counties within our service territory to determine when our system’s sensitivity levels should be increased. When a nearby area goes into high fire danger status or there is a Red Flag Warning in our area, that triggers MPE to switch to the more sensitive system settings.
MPE builds our lines to the highest standards and is continuously hardening our system to withstand our ever-changing environment with new technology and equipment. These include changing out expulsion fuses to non-expulsion fuses or equipment that does not arc; installing smarter devices that will be able to shut off a power line when an arch is sensed; and undergrounding power lines and installing fully insulated tree wire in heavily fueled areas. MPE also has protocols in place – such as annual system-wide line patrols, and a complete aerial inspection taking place this summer; pole inspections/testing; and a rigorous vegetation management system – to ensure our lines are in good working condition and to further help mitigate fire danger.
RED FLAG WARNING:
Take Action. Be extremely careful with open flames. NWS issues a Red Flag Warning, in conjunction with land management agencies, to alert land managers to an ongoing or imminent critical fire weather pattern. NWS issues a Red Flag Warning when fire conditions are ongoing or expected to occur shortly.
FIRE WEATHER WATCH:
Be Prepared. A Watch alerts land managers and the public that upcoming weather conditions could result in extensive wildland fire occurrence or extreme fire behavior. A watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible but not imminent or occurring.
Warning and Watch info courtesy of www.weather.gov/safety/wildfire-ww