Supporting California and preparing locally

||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE |||

The OPALCO team has been watching the devastation that Southern California is experiencing with the latest bout of wildfires. Our hearts go out to the individuals, families, and businesses that have lost everything in these tragic fires. We are deeply saddened by those who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods. We stand in solidarity with the firefighters, first responders, and volunteers who are risking their lives to protect others.

This is a reminder to our local communities to safeguard the islands against wildfires. Climate change continues to make weather patterns unpredictable and OPALCO is committed to doing everything we can to safeguard the electrical system throughout San Juan County. Oftentimes wildfires are started as a result of power line ignitions. OPALCO’s right-of-way program is a critical preventative measure against wildfires.

Islanders can do their part by reporting trees or vegetation near power lines and by keeping vegetation and clutter away from the green transformer boxes on their properties. Working together, we canminimize our risk of power outages and wildfire danger.

OPALCO follows national standards for clearing vegetation along power lines, and these efforts help maintain both fire safety and system integrity. OPALCO’s vegetation clearing is key in fire prevention.

Community support in identifying risky trees, maintaining clearance around the power equipment on personal property, and understanding of clearing projects will help ensure fire safety throughout the San Juan Islands.

Working together we can keep our islands safe. We encourage everyone to support a trusted relief organization and support the California recovery efforts.

Read more about OPALCO’s right-of-way program HERE.

Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (OPALCO) is our member-owned cooperative electric utility, serving more than 11,400 members on 20 islands in San Juan County. OPALCO provides electricity that is 97% greenhouse-gas free and is generated predominantly by hydroelectric plants. OPALCO was founded in 1937.