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Rocky Mountain Power takes several steps in combating wildfire dangers, from upgrading equipment to increasing line sensitivity.Among those steps is shutting o
A 50-acre wildfire was burning west of Plain City in Weber County, according to fire officials. Rocky Mountain Power takes several steps in combating wildfire dangers, from upgrading equipment to increasing line sensitivity.
Among those steps is shutting off the power for customers and de-energizing lines in a wildfire area to help prevent further spread or one from starting. When an active wildfire starts to threaten power equipment, Rocky Mountain Power said it begins monitoring the fire closely. Technicians evaluate the fire's spread and impact to infrastructure.
"If the fire is moving too close to our equipment, we will carry out an emergency de-energization of our power lines," Rocky Mountain Power said. "This process helps us make the most effective decisions to avoid additional fire risk and helps protect first responders.
"Record-low snowpack may lead to more severe wildfire season in Utah Rocky Mountain Power has already utilized emergency de-energization on a few occasions as temperatures heated up and critical fire dangers led to multiple wildfires throughout the state. Power was briefly shut off for nearly a thousand residents in Tooele County near the South Mountain Fire that spread over 1,000 acres within 24 hours of starting.
Some power lines were also de-energized near Scipio, where the Tower Fire also rapidly spread over 1,300 acres. Outages caused by an emergency de-energization vary in duration, based on the size, direction and location of the wildfire, but Rocky Mountain Power previously warned Utahns they could happen more frequently in dry years. The power company said a historically low snowpack, extremely dry vegetation and high winds have increased wildfire concerns across the Beehive State.
The power company said it will attempt to notify customers in advance of an outage, but due to quickly evolving situations, it may not always be possible. Rocky Mountain Power recommended customers be prepared with an emergency kit, have a backup power source if possible, and know where they can go if they need to leave their home during a prolonged outage.
"We appreciate your patience during such outages, as we strive to promote safety and reduce the risk of wildfire," Rocky Mountain Power said. The South Mountain Fire burning west of Stockton in Tooele County has spread an estimated 1,000 acres since starting on Monday evening. The fire was first reporA 13-year-old girl was hospitalized with critical injuries after a tree fell on her in the area of Quist Beach at Pineview Reservoir.
According to the Weber CounWashington County Attorney Jerry Jaeger filed a motion seeking to disqualify Fifth District Court Judge Jay Winward from the criminal case involving former BYUThe Pentagon revised a religious classification list after pushback from Utah lawmakers, but questions remain about why The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-dayA new fire started in Tooele County, just west of Stockton. Crews with the North Toole Fire District were dispatched to the private area above South Mountain Roa
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