Avista confirms extreme weather precautionary plan [Video]

BONNER COUNTY, Idaho — In response to dry summer conditions and increasing wildfire danger in the region, Avista Utilities is undertaking temporary changes to power line operations in its Washington and Idaho service areas.

In a Wednesday news release, Avista said it has implemented this operational change, now called Fire Safety Mode, for over 20 years.

These temporary changes are being made to decrease the potential for wildfires that could occur when re-energizing a power line. During normal operations, the lines are set to try several times to clear a fault, reducing outage times. In Fire Safety Mode, to reduce the risk of fire, the line stays out after a fault until Avista crews determine it’s safe. Crews patrol the line to make sure nothing is touching it that could create a fire. …