Wildfire Mitigation
Recent Colorado wildfires have emphasized the need for increased wildland fire mitigation efforts. SMPA has applied a thoughtful approach in developing a strategy to mitigate utility-posed wildland fire risks. SMPA’s sole intent is to minimize the presence of electrical sparks and arcs as a source of ignition. Our wildfire mitigation plan is part of a larger, ongoing strategic effort to improve the reliability and resiliency of our electric system.
SMPA's highest priority is the safety of all who live and work near our power lines. This outreach message explains what we do to prevent wildfires in our service territory, and how these strategies help.
CREA Wildfire Mitigation and Vegetation Management Report
Colorado’s electric cooperatives provide electric service to over 70% of the landmass of the state of Colorado. The purpose of WILDFIRE MITIGATION AND VEGETATION MANAGEMENT report is to outline policy options for reducing wildfire risk in Colorado’s electric cooperative service territory and throughout Colorado.
Risk Evaluation and Situational Awareness
We have identified areas within our service territory that are rated by the Colorado State Forest Service as elevated fire-threat areas. In these areas, we are conducting enhanced safety inspections as well as initiating prescription associated with additional vegetation clearing and various system operation protection options.
The SMPA distribution system is monitored 24/7 by System Technicians and our contracted dispatch personnel. These operators also have access to real-time metering data as well as outage status across the system with our Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). System faults are detected and identified nearly instantaneously, and crews are dispatched efficiently.
SMPA Wildfire Mitigation (What We Do)
As your cooperative, SMPA takes safety seriously and has continuously engaged in proactive risk mitigation efforts to prevent the ignition and growth of wildfires due to its infrastructure. Our goal is the safety of our members and the protection of the communities they live in.
System Settings and Preparedness:
Our electric grid continues to improve with advancement in technology. System engineers have developed system modes of operations and procedures to follow the various stages of heightened wildfire risk. These modes of operation reduce the risk of wildfire occurring from cooperative power lines or equipment. In addition to operational preparedness, SMPA personnel carry extra equipment during field operations to improve response to wildfire situations.
Vegetation Management:
SMPA has adopted a robust Vegetation Management Plan. This plan includes a 4-year trim cycle for our system rights of way and a mid-cycle right of way inspection. Using top-of-the-line software, and a credentialed Vegetation Management contractors, SMPA performs a robust system vegetation analysis and concentrates on hazard tree removal within and outside SMPA right-of-way.
Fire Mitigation Operations on Highway 550:
The right-of-way of the backup power line that serves Ouray County and traverses the beautiful and treacherous Red Mountain Pass along US 550, is an area of particular focus for fire mitigation efforts.
In 2021 and 2022, SMPA worked closely with USFS representatives, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), and stakeholders in our communities, in order to conduct vegetation removal above US highway 550.
SMPA thanks its contractor, VM West, for efficient and safe clearing of trees near the Red Mountain power line.
Smart Devices and System Improvement
“Smart” devices may play a key role in the SMPA grid modernization strategy. The replacement of oil filled hydraulic reclosers with “Trip Savers” began in 2020 and continue as new units are acquired.
SMPA generally follows a 4-year construction work plan that allows for strategic cable or conductor replacements. Older copper conductor is generally targeted for replacement to newer aluminum conductors. These types of upgrades ensure a lower probability of wildfire risks.
SMPA has historically performed system maintenance and inspection based on best practices driven by RUS rules for borrowers. In addition to these practices, we have incorporated the use of thermal imaging in our substations and sonography on our pole inspections. We are evaluating the use of thermal imaging and high-definition cameras (using drones) on our distribution and transmission circuits to further harden the electrical system.
Wildfire Readiness (What You Can Do)
Wildfire prevention is a team effort! Colorado's changing weather makes year-round wildfire safety a necessity, and there are plenty of things our members can do to prepare themselves, their homes and their property should a wildfire or wildfire risk occur.
Dry Fuels Removal: Most homes in a wildfire burn because of embers landing on surfaces and igniting. The solution? Keep the first 30-100 feet around your home lean and clean! This means regularly removing debris and leaves from your gutters, the corners around your home, and your yard.
Residents should remove anything within a 15-foot radius around a powerline pole if possible and maintain unobstructed access to all SMPA’s equipment, overhead and on the ground. Call SMPA If anything looks amiss or concerning with SMPA’s equipment.
Additional Resources:
County Emergency Alert
CodeRED Emergency Notifications
San Miguel Power recommends that residents of San Miguel and Ouray counties subscribe to their county's wireless emergency notification and CODERED systems. San Miguel Power works closely with these counties to share information during major power outages. However, please be aware San Miguel Power cannot guarantee you will receive outage information via these notification systems.