As a result of increased wildfire danger, the Washington Legislature passed House Bill 1032. In July 2023, it stated that it is in the best interest of the state, our citizens, and our natural resources to identify the sources of wildland fires; identify and implement best practices to reduce the prevalence and intensity of those wildland fires; put those practices in place; and by putting those practices in place, reduce the risk of wildland fires, damage, and losses resulting from those fires.
Wildfire mitigation has always been a goal for Douglas County PUD. The District’s existing policies, programs, and procedures directly or indirectly manage to reduce this risk. In recent years, the District has implemented wildfire mitigation measures to reduce the ever-evolving risk of wildfires in areas of our service territory that are more prone to wildfires. These measures include the installation of new emerging technologies, moving overhead lines to underground, vegetation management, asset inspection, and best management practices to mitigate the potential for utility-caused ignitions and more effectively respond to high wildfire risk conditions.
By October 31, 2024, and every three years thereafter, the District is committed to reviewing and revising this Wildfire Mitigation Plan – October 2024