Reducing wildfire risk by Eric Eriksen
SLVREC’s commitment to safe, affordable and dependable power
Wildfire conditions across Colorado have changed dramatically in recent years. Rising temperatures, prolonged drought and increased fuel loads— particularly from beetle-killed forests— have contributed to longer fire seasons and greater ignition risk. As development continues to expand into the wildland–urban interface, more communities are exposed to the potential impacts of wildfire.
San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative (SLVREC) recognizes these challenges and the role electric infrastructure can play in wildfire risk. In response, we have developed a comprehensive Wildfire Mitigation Plan (WMP) that focuses on prevention, system resilience and coordinated response. This plan represents an ongoing commitment to deliver safe, affordable and dependable power while protecting our employees, members and communities we serve.
Assessing & prioritizing wildfire hazards
Effective wildfire mitigation begins with understanding where risk is greatest. SLVREC uses a data-driven approach to assess wildfire hazards across our service territory, combining local conditions with system-specific information to identify areas of elevated concern.
Hazard assessments consider multiple factors, including vegetation density, proximity to forested or grassland fuels, terrain, historical fire activity, weather patterns and the presence of critical infrastructure or communities within the wildland–urban interface. These factors are evaluated alongside the location and condition of electric facilities to better understand where wildfire ignition or impact risks may be higher.
Using this information, SLVREC prioritizes mitigation activities where they will have the greatest benefit to public safety and system reliability. Higher-risk areas receive increased inspection frequency, targeted veg-etation management and enhanced system protections.
This structured prioritization ensures that limited resources are applied strategically, focusing first on locations where the potential consequences of wildfire are greatest. As conditions change, hazard assessments are updated to reflect new data, lessons learned and evolving environmental factors.
Wildfire mitigation methods
1. Vegetation Management – Vegetation Management is one of the most effective tools for reducing wildfire risk. SLVREC is expanding and maintaining right-of-way clearances to increase the distance between power lines and surrounding vegetation.
Improved methods are being used to identify hazardous trees and vegetation that could contact lines during high-wind or extreme weather events. While this work can be disruptive at times, it is essential to keeping the grid safe.
2. Enhanced Inspections and Monitoring – Regular inspection and early detection are critical to preventing equipment-related fires. SLVREC is enhancing inspections using advanced technologies, including 360-degree vehicle mounted cameras, infrared cameras and drones for data collection that are then analyzed with artificial intelligence (AI). These new tools and data-driven approaches will help identify higher-risk areas and allow maintenance resources to be prioritized more effectively.
3. System Hardening and Protection – Building a more resilient electric system is a key pillar of the Wildfire Mitigation Plan. SLVREC is investing, with the help of a $854,000 federal grant, in system hardening strategies such as fire-resistant poles, covered overhead conductors and targeted undergrounding where practical. Advanced system protection technologies provide faster awareness of downed lines or faults, allowing issues to be isolated more quickly and reducing both wildfire risk and outage impacts.
4. Weather Monitoring and Operational Readiness – Wildfire risk changes rapidly based on weather conditions. SLVREC is enhancing weather monitoring by integrating real-time data into operational decision-making during high-risk periods. The cooperative is also developing a criteria for a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program that would be targeted to specific high-risk conditions while prioritizing public safety and minimizing service disruptions.
Collaboration and long-term commitment
Wildfire mitigation is a shared responsibility. SLVREC works closely with local fire districts, emergency responders, counties and partner agencies to align mitigation efforts and improve regional preparedness.
The Wildfire Mitigation Plan will be reviewed and updated regularly to reflect changing conditions, new technologies and lessons learned. As a member-owned cooperative, SLVREC remains committed to protecting the people, power and landscapes of the San Luis Valley.
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