Peak wildfire season has only just begun and it’s already shaping up to be a destructive one. There are currently more than 50 large or notable fires burning in the Western United States, many of which are in Washington State.
Experts are concerned about the intensity we’re seeing so early in the season. In a comment made to the New York Times, Alex Robertson, director of fire and aviation management for the U.S. Forest Service said “Normally we’re ramping up in July to get to that peak in August, early September.” This year, “we’re going into August already at our full tilt.”
With the risk mounting, Puget Sound Energy (PSE) utility company announced that it will implement Public Safety Power Shutoffs in Kitsap County if necessary, as reported by the Kitsap Sun.
What Is a Public Safety Power Shutoff?
A Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) is a preventative measure utilities implement to reduce the risk of power lines sparking or worsening a fire. When weather experts declare high-risk conditions, like strong winds, dry vegetation, or low humidity, utilities will temporarily shut off power in the affected areas. This is because strong winds can lead to trees or debris to fall on power lines, causing them to break and potentially spark a fire. They’ll only restore power after conditions have improved and their crews have had time to inspect and repair power lines.
PSE has said that PSPS are a last resort but they will implement them if necessary. A PSPS could last anywhere from a few hours to several days or longer, depending on how bad the weather conditions are and the resulting damage, and PSE customers need to be prepared.
How to Prepare for a PSPS
There are several things you can do to prepare for a PSPS. It’s important to build an emergency kit with water, non-perishable food, first aid, and other supplies. But you should also consider installing a backup power source, especially if you rely on medical equipment or refrigerated medication. Extreme weather is becoming increasingly common as climate change progresses, and it’s likely that planned and unplanned outages will happen more frequently. Installing solar panels with battery backup will make your home resilient by allowing you to generate and store your own power, even when the grid is down. It’s important to note that solar panels alone will not work during a power outage—grid tied solar systems without batteries are required to automatically shut off during a power outage. You need a battery to use your solar panels during a grid outage.
A solar plus battery system is not the only option for backup power. You could also choose to install a generator or a standalone battery (without solar). Both have their advantages and can be a better choice for some homes and buildings. But a solar plus battery system has unique benefits. It’s a 100% renewable option, for one, and it can be more reliable during an emergency when fuel shortages or road blockages could make refueling a generator difficult. In addition, Puget Sound Energy has developed a new program called PSE Flex to pay customers who enroll their battery systems in a “virtual power plant” system. Payments include $1,000 or more per qualifying battery at installation, and $500 per battery on an annual basis.
Cascadia Solar can recommend the best backup power option for your home or business. As the solar division of Frederickson Electric, we are experienced with battery storage and generators and will help you decide which is right for you. We’ve been serving Kitsap County and the surrounding areas for over 50 years and are hugely committed to local resiliency efforts. We attend the All-County Picnic every year, a free emergency preparedness event in Jefferson County, and are proud to be a financial sponsor to ensure it remains a free resource for the community.
