San Diego: SDGE power line wildfires - Public hearings

Power Line Fire Danger At Center Of Hearings

SAN DIEGO -- The California Public Utilities Commission was scheduled to hold two public hearings in San Diego Tuesday to discuss how to prevent power lines from sparking wildfires in Santa Ana winds.

On Friday, the San Diego Gas & Electric Co. sent the commission a 40-page report acknowledging that SDG&E electric systems have started 167 fires since Aug. 9. 2003, according to The North County Times.

Most of the 167 fires were small, but the larger ones included the Witch Creek, Guejito and Rice fires in October 2007.
Combined, the three fires burned more than 200,000 acres, destroyed more than 1,300 North County homes and killed two people.

The commission is considering ordering all of the state's major investor-owned utilities to take measures to reduce the chance that power lines will slap each other in strong winds and create sparks.

Such measures could include restricting the number of wires strung from poles and establishing a minimum distance between parallel wires, the Times reported.

Last fall, SDG&E suggested it shut off power in the backcountry during high winds.
Residents opposed the idea because they could be without power for prolonged periods.The commission is scheduled to take up the idea next month during meetings in Alpine and Valley Center.

Tuesday's public hearings, which will focus on a more general discussion, are scheduled to begin at 2 and 7 p.m. at the Al Bahr Shrine Center, 5440 Kearny Mesa Road.

Source: 10news.com - Link