Aspen Assisting in Groundbreaking Wildfire Risk Reduction Project for Utilities
Wildfires are a consistent threat for the state year after year, but the devastating effects can be lessened by taking critical steps in protecting existing transmission lines and managing vegetation. Aspen Environmental Group continues to play an integral role in assisting State and federal agencies in the reduction of wildfire impacts to utilities throughout California.
For example, Aspen is working on a Wildfire Risk Reduction, Reliability, and Asset Protection (WRAP) project with Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) , Sierra Nevada Region (SNR) and Trinity Public Utilities District (TPUD) in Weaverville, California. The WRAP Project involves right-of-way (ROW) expansion of existing transmission/distribution lines and vegetation management to reduce fire risk to the surrounding communities and nearby Public Lands, as well as to increase electrical reliability to maintain critical services in the local communities of Trinity County.
The areas surrounding WAPA and Trinity PUD’s systems are particularly vulnerable to fire risk due to the dense vegetation and steep terrain. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) classifies this area as Very High Fire Hazard, and this risk was manifested in the recent Carr Fire near Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and the 2020 August Complex Fires in southern Trinity County. This proposed WRAP project would reduce these fire risks by expanding existing transmission/distribution ROWs and implementing a proactive integrated vegetation management program.
CMUA, Water and Power Leadership Podcast on the WRAP Project
The California Municipal Utility Association (CMUA), Water and Power Leadership podcast series interviewed Mr. Paul Hauser, the TPUD General Manager, about this groundbreaking pilot program for utilities having forests in their service areas. Click here to listen to the CMUA interview on the podcast, “Taking Action to Stop Wildfire in the Forest.”