Fortis plan to reduce wildfire risk across Southern Interior raises other safety concerns
Global News
The initiative will see Fortis cut off power in the mentioned communities, if warranted, during extreme weather events.
FortisBC will be implementing a new initiative for the 2025 wildfire season in an effort to reduce wildfire risk.
But as the “Public Safety Power Shutoff” initiative aims to decrease the chance of wildfires, it’s raising other safety concerns.
“It sounds like a good idea, you know, I still have a few questions,” said Princeton mayor Spencer Coyne.
Princeton is among 10 communities in the Southern Interior where the plan is being implemented for the 2025 wildfire season.
They include Princeton, Midway, Greenwood, Beaverdell, Christian Valley, Westbridge, Rock Creek, Cawston, Keremeos, and Hedley.
The communities were deemed “high-risk” for wildfires by Fortis.
The initiative will see Fortis cut off power in the mentioned communities, if warranted, during extreme weather events.
“When you have very high winds, high heat, low humidity and tinder-dry vegetation, we will reach out to local emergency services and make a decision whether we need to turn off power,” said Gary Toft, senior adviser of corporate communications with Fortis.
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