Local utility companies working to mitigate wildfire risk [Video]

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – As investigators work to uncover the cause of massive wildfires in southern California, southern Arizona utility providers are reassuring residents of their strategies for mitigation.

“We conduct routine inspections of our transmission and distribution equipment on varying schedules,” said TEP spokesman Joseph Barrios. “We also make sure to clear away vegetation to the full extent we have available through our rights of way.”

Helicopters also identify damaged equipment and brush in need of clearing in hard-to-reach areas. Trico Electric Cooperative said they have a wildfire committee to ensure policies and procedures are up to date

Thanks to a new grant from the federal government, they are able to take additional steps.

“We’ll be using it to wrap our poles in this fire-resistant material, which will help protect the poles in the event that there is a fire. You don’t want the poles to fall down …