Wildfires: What you should know about preparing and staying safe
This Fall, persistent dry conditions and minimal rainfall have led to drought conditions throughout much of our 29-county service territory. When there are drought conditions, the risk of brush fires and wildfires increases. As first responders continue to battle a wildfire in Lehigh Township, it is an important reminder that having a plan for any emergency is the first step to ensuring you and your loved ones stay safe.
“The safety of our customers and the communities we serve is always our primary focus,” said Ed Harakel, vice president of Operations. “With dry conditions expected to continue, it’s important to be mindful of the heightened risk for fires and be prepared for any sudden changes.”
What can you do to prepare for wildfires?
- Prepare an emergency kit and be ready to put it in your vehicle.
- Follow wildfire prevention tips found at ready.gov/wildfires.
- Create an evacuation plan and make sure to practice that plan so that you can leave quickly if needed.
- Maintain your lawn and remove combustible debris from around your home.
- Download important mobile apps – FEMA and the National Weather Service – to receive timely updates and alerts.
- Sign up for PPL Electric alerts to receive important updates by visiting pplelectric.com/alerts.
What do we do to prepare?
We prepare year-round for emergencies, including wildfires, and are ready to respond at a moment’s notice around the clock to help protect our system and keep our customers safe. We do this by:
- Monitoring weather conditions and working with emergency management officials to guard against wildfire risks across our territory.
- Inspecting lines and other electric infrastructure.
- Making investments throughout the year to strengthen our electric delivery system against severe weather and natural disasters.
- Trimming trees and controlling brush along our right of ways to reduce the possibility of vegetation impacting power lines.
- Using innovation and automated tools to detect trouble and reroute power.
“Our team coordinates closely with local and state emergency management agencies, community liaisons and elected officials through regular communication all year,” said Harakel. “So, when a wildfire does occur, the PPL Electric team is boots on the ground with emergency responders continuously monitoring the situation.”
Should a fire become a larger threat to our system, know that we are prepared to take appropriate actions to lessen damage to the grid and minimize outages. If necessary, we will communicate important information and updates to you via phone, text or email. Now is a great time to sign up and customize your alert settings at pplelectric.com/alerts.
