Wildfire Safety and Prevention

This map is intended to show areas within the EWEB service territory where our electric lines and equipment are sited in terrain with higher potential for wildfire. These higher risk locations are preliminary, based on the Oregon Wildfire Risk Explorer map and the on-the-ground experience of EWEB system operators. EWEB will continue to refine and update the risk map as more information becomes available. 

Information in this map may not align with other wildfire risk maps. The purpose of this map is to increase wildfire awareness and show where our electric lines and equipment may be placed in "protective settings" mode to reduce the risk that vegetation comes in contact with our equipment during hot, dry and windy conditions, such as Red Flag Warning events. Please use the EWEB Outage Map to view current power outage locations. 

All information presented on this map is approximate and subject to change. While we do our best to ensure the quality of the information, EWEB makes no guarantee as to its accuracy, completeness or timeliness. 

EWEB’s Board of Commissioners approved the updated Wildfire Mitigation Plan during the April 1 Board meeting.

The plan is designed to protect public safety, reduce risk to utility customers, and promote electrical system resilience to wildfire damage.  

Wildfires threaten EWEB assets, operations, and customers on a near-annual basis. To address this threat, the utility is testing new equipment, leveraging technology, and incorporating third-party expertise to bolster electric system resiliency to a range of threats, including wildfire.

A Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) is an operational practice an electric utility may use to shut off power in high-risk areas to help prevent wildfires during extreme and dangerous weather conditions. A PSPS means EWEB will shut off power, and it is considered an action of last resort to help protect public safety.

We take wildfire risk seriously and we put the safety of our customers and community first. 

Vegetation management

We proactively prune trees, branches and shrubs to make sure they don't come in contact with power lines during high wind, snow or ice events. Maintaining clearance between trees and power lines helps reduce this risk. Each year, crews trim around 300 'line miles' of vegetation to minimize the chance of falling trees and branches. We inspect and prune an additional 250 'line miles' in high-risk areas such as south Eugene and the McKenzie Valley.

System inspection and maintenance

We conduct routine and proactive maintenance on more than 725 miles of overhead power lines to ensure our system is safe and reliable. We visually patrol and inspect the system and components, and replace worn or aging equipment throughout the system. Like our additional vegetation maintenance, we inspect areas with a higher risk of wildfire more frequently.

Proactive grid-hardening investments

We actively seek opportunities to replace older equipment such as power poles, crossarms and wires. In some cases, we take certain overhead distribution lines and put them underground. We are also starting to install more  fire-resistant equipment, such as using ductile iron instead of wooden poles in a recently completed transmission line project in the upper McKenzie Valley.

Situational 'wildfire season' awareness

Situational awareness during fire season includes monitoring weather for high winds and low humidity, modifying field work practices to be more fire aware, bringing fire suppression equipment to every work site, and increased coordination with public safety partners when crews are working in areas with high fuel loads.

An example would be the installation of an ALERTWildfire camera on a communications tower to spot small fires before they threaten communities and infrastructure in the upper McKenzie River Valley. The camera, which is mounted on an EWEB communications tower that provides radio communication for EWEB’s Carmen-Smith hydroelectric project, provides a live feed viewable by anyone. ALERTWildfire is a project led by three universities, including the Oregon Hazards Lab at the University of Oregon, to provide cameras in wildlands that can help firefighters discover, monitor and contain wildfires.

Power line Protective Settings

When weather conditions indicate there is a high risk of wildfire, we change the protective settings on our equipment in south Eugene and the McKenzie Valley. These protective measures include modifying high-voltage electric switches and relays. Just like a circuit breaker in your home, the switch senses when trouble occurs—such as a tree branch falling on the line—and shuts off the power. We will not re-energize the line until we visually inspect it and confirm with public safety partners there is no fire in the area.

Red flag warnings

We activate this extra level of protection in areas at higher risk for wildfire when the National WeatherService issues a Red Flag Warning—typically related to high winds, high temperatures and low humidity. While enhanced protective settings help reduce wildfire risk, customers should anticipate that it will take longer to restore power when these more sensitive settings are in place.

Download our Wildfire Safety & Protection flyer.

Just as we manage vegetation to keep trees away from power lines, it's important for you to create a line of defense around your property by clearing dead trees and brush away from your property, particularly if you live in the south hills and other heavily forested areas of our community.

When selecting a new tree to plant, follow the "Right Tree, Right Place" approach. By picking the proper species and planting procedure, you can increase public safety, reduce power outages, reduce the need for routine pruning, and promote healthy, beautiful trees.

Everyone should have a plan for how you and your family will stay safe from wildfire. During wildfire season and year-round, we encourage customers to have an emergency plan and ensure your household is ready for a prolonged power or water disruption. Check out our emergency preparedness page for tips and resources.

Check out these resources for more information on what to do before, during, and after a wildfire:

Eugene Wildfire Preparedness Coalition

Oregon State University Extension Service Fire Program

https://www.ready.gov/wildfires