Outage Map
We are in the heart of wildfire season in Central Oregon, a region prone to high winds, lightning, extreme heat, and dryness during summer and early fall. All are key risk drivers for igniting wildfires.
Last year, Oregon had a record-breaking wildfire season, with more than 1.9 million acres burned—the most acreage burned in 30 years and 18 times more than in 2023. The 2024 fire season also set a record for firefighting costs, exceeding $132 million for the Oregon Department of Forestry.
We don’t know how this year will play out, but it’s off to an ominous start. In May, the Butte Creek Fire northeast of Prineville in Wheeler County—the first large fire of the season—burned 1,776 acres.
Implementing wildfire mitigation measures is a year-round endeavor for Central Electric Cooperative (CEC). In January, CEC expanded to 4 full-time contract tree trimming crews. Crews trim or remove encroaching branches, vegetation, or hazardous trees within our rights of way, reducing the chance of contact with power lines.
In May, CEC completed mowing vegetation and trimming trees along 1.5 miles of overhead power lines that provide service to the Peterson Ridge area south of Sisters.
CEC also attended a community forum on wildfires sponsored by Citizens4Community in Sisters and was available to answer questions and provide information about its wildfire mitigation efforts and Public Safety Power Shutoff plan.
When the Sisters City Council—with various fire and emergency service agencies— conducted a fire incident simulation workshop, CEC was on hand to explain its role, the process of turning off power as needed, and restoration efforts.
This summer, CEC will set more than 100 reclosers to enhanced safety settings on various distribution lines in high-risk wildfire areas. These reclosers automatically prevent power lines from reenergizing when small wildlife, vegetation, or lightning make contact. Rapidly deenergizing the power lines reduces the chance of electrical equipment contributing to wildfire ignition.
Taking these safety precautions results in more power outages for extended periods. Line personnel must visually inspect entire sections of power lines before reenergizing to ensure the safe operation of CEC facilities. While inconvenient, the trade-off helps ensure public safety in high-risk areas.
CEC may execute a Public Safety Power Shutoff as a last-resort safety measure implemented in extreme circumstances, such as when the National Weather Service issues red flag warnings due to critical factors, such as sustained high winds, low humidity, and high heat.
During those conditions, CEC strategically positions personnel throughout high-risk areas to monitor conditions to determine if a PSPS is warranted. If so, CEC informs affected members through phone calls, emails, texts, the website, and social media. In rare emergencies, CEC or public safety officials may determine to deenergize a line during a threatening event without advance notice to protect human lives, homes, and structures.
Visit our website to learn more about CEC’s proactive steps to mitigate wildfires.
Brad Wilson
President and CEO