Blustery winds and abnormally dry conditions throughout the region have prompted La Plata Electric Association to implement enhanced safety measures to help mitigate fire danger.
“This is two months earlier than we typically start enforcing fire safety measures, but we are being pro-active,” said Justin Talbot, LPEA manager of operations, in a news release. “What this may mean is that ... in the event of an outage, it will take us a little longer to restore power.”
Crews will do extra patrols at locations where power lines are damaged to ensure no flammable objects are touching electrical equipment, according to the release.
LPEA vehicles are also equipped with watering systems to douse sparked fires.
Crews will remain on standby throughout the night – one lineman each in Durango, Bayfield/Ignacio and Pagosa Springs – and additional personnel are available if needed.
Additionally, LPEA’s contracted tree trimming crews, which are working in La Plata and Archuleta counties, will remain in their work areas after the last use of a chainsaw to make sure no fires have been sparked.
“We’re also asking our customers to be aware – be our eyes,” said Curt Marlatt, LPEA line superintendent, in the release. “If you’ve got an outage, go outside and survey your property, as well as your neighbors’, for downed power lines, smoke or a visible fire.”
If anything looks amiss, customers are encouraged to call 911 immediately, and then LPEA at 247-5786.
