Wildfire prevention

PSE takes a holistic approach to the evolving risk of wildfires by operating and improving our infrastructure to create an electric system that is reliable, resilient, and above all, safe.

PSE's Wildfire Risk Management Program includes our year-round work to prevent wildfires by:

Investing in projects to strengthen our infrastructure
Monitoring real-time conditions and operating the electric system at different levels of sensitivity
Partnering with emergency responders, local organizations, and our customers to build more resilient communities

Read our current Wildfire Mitigation Plan for more details.

Year-round prevention efforts

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Vegetation management

Trees and other vegetation that grow too close to power lines can cause power outages and create sparks, so PSE’s Vegetation Management program regularly inspects power lines throughout our service area and trims or removes hazardous trees and other vegetation.

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Strengthening the grid

PSE replaces and upgrades equipment to improve the safety and reliability of the electric system, including regularly inspecting and replacing poles, wires and other equipment, installing "tree wire" (specially coated overhead wire that helps prevent sparks, and strategically undergrounding power lines in areas with the highest wildfire risk.

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Wildfire safe operations

PSE monitors real-time conditions and will operate our electric system at varying levels of sensitivity to prevent wildfires. This includes turning on Enhanced Powerline Settings (EPS) or using a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) to help keep our customers and communities safe.

How you can prepare for peak wildfire season

Create and practice a household emergency plan and build an emergency kit.
Make sure your PSE account contact information is up to date.
If you use a medical device in your home that relies on electricity, apply for Life Support status on your account.
Learn more about how we operate the electric grid to prevent wildfires and keep communities safe, including using Public Safety Power Shutoffs.
Get your free Wildfire Ready Plan from Washington Department of Natural Resources and take action to make your home and community more resilient.
If you notice a tree that is dangerously close to overhead power lines or appears to be in poor health, please call your local PSE arborist or fill out our contact form.
Visit our Resources page to learn more about local organizations and programs to help you prepare for wildfire season, emergencies, and power outages.