Every summer, as skies over the Pacific Northwest begin to haze over and the smell of smoke drifts into our neighborhoods, many of us feel the same quiet worry: What can we do?
The good news is, there is a lot we can do. And we don’t have to do it alone.
In recognition of National Wildfire Awareness Month this May, we are shining a light on one of our steadfast community partners, Puget Sound Energy (PSE), a Health Care Champion Sponsor of Unity Care NW. PSE isn’t just keeping the lights on, they’re working year-round to protect the places and people we all care about most.
What PSE Is Doing Behind the Scenes
Wildfires don’t start themselves. In fact, human activities are the leading cause of wildfires in Washington State, which means human action can also prevent them. PSE
takes that responsibility seriously through their full Wildfire Risk Management Program, a year-round effort that includes:
Keeping trees and power lines from becoming a dangerous pair. When vegetation grows too close to power lines, it can lead to
potential hazards such as creating a spark. PSE’s Vegetation Management teams inspects and trims trees along 3,000 miles of power lines each year, including over 1,000 miles of lines in high wildfire risk areas, removing hazardous trees and brush before they become a problem.
Upgrading the infrastructure that powers our homes. PSE is continually replacing aging equipment, installing specially coated “tree wire” to reduce the risk of sparks, and undergrounding power lines.
Watching the weather. During summer months, PSE monitors real-time weather conditions and may operate the grid more conservatively. When fire danger is at its highest, they may activate Enhanced Powerline Settings (EPS) or a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), to help keep customers and communities safe.
How You Can Help Protect Our Community This Season
Community safety is something we build together. Here are a few simple steps you can take right now to do your part:
Want to find out more? Click the play button to watch a short video from PSE to learn what Public Safety Power Shutoff is and how it works.
- Update your contact info so PSE can reach you quickly if conditions change. Update your PSE account here.
- If you or someone in your home relies on an electric medical device, make sure PSE knows. Apply for Life Support status to ensure you get the support you need during any power event.
- Create and practice a family emergency plan, build an emergency kit, and learn how to prepare when a PSPS is possible.
- Get your free Wildfire Ready Plan from the Washington Department of Natural Resources at dnr.wa.gov. A little preparation now can make an enormous difference when it matters most.
- Notice a tree growing too close to power lines? You can make a real difference just by reporting it. Contact your local PSE arborist or fill out a quick contact form.
- Want even more resources? PSE has gathered local organizations and programs to help our community prepare for wildfire season and power outages on their Community Resources page.
We’re Stronger Together
At Unity Care NW we believe that healthy communities are built on exactly this kind of care. PSE’s commitment to wildfire prevention reflects what we know to be true: when we work together, we protect not just our homes, but the health and wellbeing of everyone who lives here.
This May, we’re asking you to do one small thing: share this information with a neighbor, friend or family member. The smoke from wildfires affects us all and it will take all of us to prevent them too.
Thank you, Puget Sound Energy, for being a true partner in keeping our skies clear and our communities safe. To learn more, visit pse.com/wildfire.