Fall 2025 | Edition 34
Routine Inspections: The Backbone of Your Wildfire Mitigation Plan
To support wildfire mitigation efforts, utilities carry out a range of inspections aimed at monitoring infrastructure and identifying potential hazards. These include inspection of poles, cabinets, overhead and underground equipment, and vegetation within rights-of-way. The goal is to spot issues early. Identifying problems before they escalate allows for timely maintenance, helping to reduce the likelihood of wildfire events caused by electrical infrastructure. Many utilities use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other digital tools to track inspections, map risk areas, and prioritize work based on history and location-specific concerns.
While this inspection program outlines a structured approach to monitoring and maintenance, it is intended as a flexible framework. Adjustments may be necessary based on changing environmental conditions, resource constraints, regulatory shifts, or unexpected challenges like storms, fires, or restricted access. A responsive and adaptive approach ensures inspections and system upkeep continue to support safe, reliable service and effective wildfire prevention.
Because maintenance plays a role in preventing wildfires, utilities often prioritize these five routine inspections:
POLE INSPECTIONS
Regular assessment of pole integrity identifies woodpecker damage, rot, leaning, equipment wear, and pole strength. A decayed or structurally compromised pole can fail during weather events, triggering downed lines, sparking, or prolonged fault conditions.
LINE PATROL
Visual inspection of overhead lines can identify sagging conductors, broken crossarms, cracked insulators, vegetation encroachment, and foreign objects. Line patrols catch emerging problems between major inspection cycles. They also serve as an early warning for potential ignition hazards.
RIGHT-OF-WAY MAINTENANCE
Clearing vegetation around power lines reduces fuel for fires and prevents contact between vegetation and energized conductors. Vegetation contact is one of the top utility-related fire ignition causes. Dead or overhanging trees, even outside the right-of-way (ROW), can fall into lines.
UNDERGROUND EQUIPMENT INSPECTIONS
Regular inspections, including infrared scans, of pad-mounted transformers, switchgear, junction boxes, and control cabinets are essential. Cabinets often house aging equipment that, if compromised, can arc, fault, or ignite fires. Nests, pests, moisture, and dust buildup also raise fire risk.
RECLOSER TESTING
Utilities should test reclosers to identify potential issues. Testing ensures reclosers operate as designed and will properly de-energize faulted or downed wires.
If your utility outsources maintenance work, choosing a reputable, qualified contractor is critical. Your Wildfire Mitigation Plan (WFMP) is only as strong as the actions taken on the ground, and in legal or insurance reviews, you may be held accountable for your contractor’s performance. Look for contractors with utility-specific experience, proper safety credentials, and a track record of documentation and compliance. Require that they follow your priority response protocols, provide dated reports, and document all findings with photos and GIS data when applicable. Remember to provide an outline for categorizing maintenance findings to contractors to ensure consistent responses with your internal policy.
Your Wildfire Mitigation Plan is more than a response document; it’s the blueprint for prevention, your legal defense if needed, and your insurance policy’s best friend. By building it on a foundation of routine system maintenance, your utility proves that you’re not just reacting to fire risk, you’re managing it.
Key Points:
Follow RUS, NESC®, and Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange requirements or best practices when implementing your inspection rotations.
Documentation is critical, especially for legal and regulatory defense or in wildfire mitigation planning. Use digital platforms or maintenance logs to track dates, issues, repairs, and next actions.
Prioritize high-risk zones (e.g., wildfire-prone or high wind areas) for more frequent inspections.
Remember to adjust frequency based on incident reports, system age, and system reliability performance.
A Message From the CEO
BY: LOIS CROONQUIST, CEO
As consultants working closely with electric utilities, we’re constantly reminded that the duty of care isn’t just a legal concept—it’s a practical responsibility. Utilities are expected to operate and maintain their systems in a way that protects people, property, and the environment. This standard of care is the backbone of any strong Wildfire Mitigation Plan (WFMP).
Routine maintenance, which includes pole inspections, line patrols, vegetation management, and equipment testing, is where this responsibility comes to life. It’s not just about checking boxes; it’s about identifying risks early and addressing them before they lead to consequences. In this edition of the LodeSTAR, we’re highlighting how maintenance plays a critical role in wildfire prevention and how documentation supports both safety and accountability.