Wildfire Preparedness

Mitigation & Preparedness

Check out what Eric Wirfs, Director of Operations, has to say about the wildfire mitigations we do at OTEC and what you can do at home.

Wildfire Mitigation: A Top Priority at OTEC

Wildfire Mitigation is a top priority at Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative. For OTEC, which operates in heavily forested areas across four counties in Eastern Oregon - much of it state and federal land - mitigating wildfire hazards is a significant part of providing safe and reliable electricity to its member-owners and the communities where we live and serve.

OTEC revised and formalized its Wildfire Mitigation Plan in 2022. The plan outlines OTEC's programs to adapt its electric system to evolving fire-related conditions, implementing new technologies to detect issues before they arise and enhancing operational practices to mitigate the potential for ignition.

Click here to read OTEC's Wildfire Mitigation Plan

What is a Public Safety Power Shutoff?

One way to reduce the threat of wildfires during elevated weather events is to proactively shut off power temporarily. This is known as a Public Safety Power Shutoff or PSPS. Weather conditions calling for a possible PSPS would include high winds (including Red Flag warning by the National Weather Service), low humidity and dry vegetation that could serve as fuel.

OTEC has protocols in place for deciding if or when to execute a PSPS. PSPS events are temporary and are meant to keep OTEC member-owners and communities safe.

Click Here to Learn More about PSPS Events, Protocols and How to Prepare

Check if you're in a high-fire risk area in OTEC's Service Territory

Is Your Home and Property Prepared for Wildfire Season?

One of the most basic tips for wildfire preparation is creating defensible space around your home - thinning or removing trees and brush and picking up pine needles, grasses and finer fuels.

Homeowners should focus on three home ignition zones: Immediate Zone (the home itself and 0-5 ft), Intermediate Zone (5-30 feet) and the Extended Zone (30-100 feet).

While full-scale tree (brush) thinning or removal might not need to be done on an annual basis, pine needles, grasses and finer fuels need to be addressed at least once if not twice a year.

Defensible Space Guide (3.85 MB)

Zones for Defensible Space (850.37 KB)

When an emergency occurs, do you know when to stay and when to go?

Oregon has a program called Ready, Set, Go. When the Ready (Level 1) notice is issued, residents are encouraged to be prepared to go and have a plan to evacuate. Also, it's a good idea to monitor local news and social media for information and to sign up for your county's emergency alert system.

When the Set (Level 2) notice is issued, residents need to be prepared to leave. This level means there is a significant danger in the area and residents should load their "go-bag" in the car and be ready to leave. If there is time before leaving, write EVACUATED on a pillowcase and hang near the end of the driveway to let emergency personnel know the property is evacuated.

And finally, if the Go (Level 3) notice is issued, all residents need to evacuate immediately. There is not time to grab emergency kits or make efforts to protect property.

Again, it is recommended you sign up for your county's emergency notification system. You can do that now by clicking on your county's link below:

Union County

Grant County

Baker County

Harney County

2025 Wildfire Town Halls

June 2, 2025

5 pm

La Grande Fire Department

1806 Cove Ave, La Grande, OR 97850

June 3, 2025

5 pm

Baker Rural Fire Protection District

3855 23rd St, Baker City, OR 97814

June 4, 2025

10:30 am

John Day Fire Department

316 S Canyon Blvd, John Day, OR 97845

June 4, 2025

3:30 pm

Burns City Hall

242 S Broadway, Burns, OR 97720

June 5, 2025

8:30 am

City of Seneca Offices

106 Ave A, Seneca, OR 97873

June 5, 2025

1 pm

Long Creek City Hall

250 Hardisty, Long Creek, OR 97856

Click here to check if you're in a high-fire risk area in OTEC's service territory

A Public Safety Power Shut-off Is:

A Public Safety Power Shutoff is an operational practice OTEC may use to shut off power in high-risk fire areas to reduce fire risk during extreme and potentially dangerous weather conditions.

There are several factors that may potentially necessitate a PSPS. OTEC vigilantly monitors local fire danger and extreme weather with the help of community partners, such as the U.S. Forest Service and the Oregon Department of Forestry. A combination of factors would influence the decision to take action and turn off power: Red Flag Warnings from the National Weather Service, sustained high winds, fire threat to OTEC’s electric infrastructure, on-the-ground observations, and public safety risk.

Member-Owners Can Expect:

If there is the potential for a PSPS, here is what you can expect:

Early Warning Notification: OTEC will attempt to notify members in advance of a potential PSPS event via automated calls, press releases to local media, social media and OTEC’s website. OTEC will attempt to notify affected members again before shutting off power and throughout the event until power is restored. However, situations may prevent OTEC from providing notice as the actual onset of extreme weather conditions and other circumstances beyond OTEC’s control may disrupt coordination and notification efforts. OTEC receives its power from Bonneville Power Administration, which may de-energize transmission lines with its own PSPS policy. If BPA initiates its own PSPS, it would be outside of OTEC's control, but we would still work to notify affected members.

Ongoing Updates: OTEC will provide ongoing updates throughout the PSPS through social media, local news outlets and our website.

Safety Inspections: After extreme weather has passed, OTEC will inspect the lines/equipment in affected areas to determine if there is any damage to the electrical infrastructure. Damaged equipment must be repaired before power can be safely restored. This process could take several days, so please prepare for the possibility of an extended outage.

Power Restoration: Power will remain out for as long as extreme and dangerous weather conditions pose a potential fire risk. Depending on the severity of the weather and other factors, power outages could last several hours or multiple days. That is why it is critically important for everyone to have an emergency plan in place, not just for a potential PSPS, but for any natural disaster.

Member-Owners Can Prepare By:

Updating your contact information with OTEC by calling 541-523-3616 or through your online account.
Having a personal safety plan in place for every member of your household, including a plan for your pets and/or livestock.
Signing up for your county’s emergency notification system. You can find that by calling your county or you can find a list of OTEC-served counties at otec.coop/safety
Planning for any medical needs, such as medications that require refrigeration or devices that require power, like oxygen tanks.
Creating or restocking your emergency supply kit, which should include food, water, flashlights, a radio, fresh batteries, first aid supplies, and cash.
Identifying backup charging methods for phones and medical equipment.
Knowing how to open your garage door manually.
Ensuring any backup generators are ready to operate safely.
Identifying the unique needs of your family and loved ones in the area for your emergency plan.
Designating an emergency meeting location.

Generator Safety Tips

Ensure that you disconnect from OTEC's system using an approved disconnect switch before using a generator, to prevent backfeed, which could be fatal to utility workers attempting to restore power. Please contact a certified electrician to ensure that the disconnect switches are approved.
Do not overload the generator; use it to power only essential appliances or equipment.
Only operate the generator outside, not indoors. The generator could release carbon monoxide inside the house, which could be deadly.

Food Storage Safety

Try not to open your refrigerator during an outage; the food might remain safe up to four hours or longer.
If you have a freezer, a full freezer should remain viable for up to 48 hours, and a half-full freezer for 24 hours.
OTEC is not responsible for spoiled food.