When wind or wildfires threaten electricity transmission lines, Idaho Power plans to shut them down to prevent further problems, the Boise-based utility says. 

Idaho Power officials will host virtual meetings from 6 to 7 p.m. Mountain time June 4-6 to discuss wildfire-driven public safety power shutoffs and how people can prepare for them.

The public safety shutoffs involve turning off power proactively to help protect communities when wildfire risk is high due to extreme weather. A shutoff could be called when risk of extreme fire is high due to wind and other weather-related conditions, the company said in a news release.

Several western power utilities have been involved in large wildfires in recent years.

This will be Idaho Power’s third summer with a public safety power shutoff plan. The company has never called a shutoff — a last resort to prevent wildfires — but encourages customers to be prepared for potential outages regardless of the cause.

“The last few decades, wildfires have become more frequent and intense in Idaho and Oregon,” Jon Axtman, Idaho Power wildfire mitigation director and director of transmission engineering and distribution, said. “We have expanded our work to reduce wildfire risk.”

A company map shows where public safety power shutoffs are most likely due to weather patterns, vegetation and the density of homes and other structures. Staff over the next few years is installing additional devices to help isolate sections of the grid so fewer customers will be impacted by outages.

Customers are encouraged to make a plan, including preparing for medical needs such as refrigerated medicine or powered medical equipment, and updating contact information.

Wildfire mitigation is a year-round effort that also includes trimming trees, wrapping poles in fire-resistant mesh, and inspecting and maintaining equipment, according to the company.

Meeting participation, program details: https://www.idahopower.com/outages-safety/wildfire-safety/.