FortisBC is holding a series of public information sessions in the Southern Interior this month to discuss wildfire prevention efforts and its public safety power shutoff policy ahead of wildfire season.
The utility said the sessions are intended to help residents understand what happens before, during and after a public safety power shutoff event, and how they can prepare for possible outages during periods of extreme wildfire risk.
The public safety power shutoff policy allows FortisBC to proactively cut electricity in targeted areas during severe weather conditions to reduce the risk of power lines sparking wildfires.
The utility described the measure as a “last resort” preventive tool that would only be used during extreme wildfire conditions.
FortisBC had initially planned to roll out the policy last summer, but it was temporarily paused by the B.C. Utilities Commission after concerns were raised by municipalities expected to be most affected.
However, senior corporate communications adviser Gary Toft said the regulator later approved the policy and directed FortisBC to undertake additional public engagement with impacted communities.
“The BC Utilities Commission found that the public safety power shutoff policy was consistent with our work, and that was implemented starting last year.”
Toft said FortisBC hosted several public information sessions last year and found that residents’ questions mostly centred on when shutoffs could occur and how long outages might last.
“What we heard is that people had questions about how long a public safety power shot may take place and what would be the triggers for that. And we were able just to share with them that it would be very similar to any other weather-related power outage,” said Toft.
He added that FortisBC reviewed 10 years of local weather data from the Southern Interior and found only one circumstance in which the utility might have considered implementing a public safety power shutoff.
“We don’t think they will be a frequent event, but we do want to make sure that we’re sharing information with people so they can plan and make sure they’re prepared for any type of emergency situation,” he said.
Additionally, Toft noted FortisBC has expanded other wildfire mitigation efforts for the 2026 season, including infrastructure upgrades, vegetation clearing around power lines, installing additional weather stations and adjusting seasonal power-line safety settings.
Public information sessions are scheduled for Osoyoos on May 27 at the Sonora Community Centre and Kaleden on May 28 at Twin Lakes Golf Course. All three sessions run from 3 to 6 p.m.
Residents unable to attend are encouraged to visit FortisBC’s wildfire safety webpage for more information about emergency preparedness and wildfire-related outages.
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