FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                    Media Hotline: 1-800-570-5838

   July 3, 2019

Pacific Power to host wildfire safety and preparedness open houses for Medford, Grants Pass and Roseburg

Pacific Power, local emergency services and Oregon Department of Forestry representatives will share information for keeping homes and communities safe this season

PORTLAND, Ore. —  As part of its ongoing efforts to prepare customers and communities for this year’s wildfire season, Pacific Power is hosting three wildfire safety and preparedness open houses for Southern Oregon next week. Representatives from local emergency services agencies, Oregon Department of Forestry and Pacific Power will be on hand to share information about their wildfire mitigation plans and provide information to help area residents prepare at home.

“With wildfires becoming more frequent and intense throughout our region, we all need to take extra steps to ensure the safety of our homes and our communities,” said Scott Bolton, senior vice president, Pacific Power. “We are working together with our community partners to ensure that together we are ready, and we are prepared.”

During the open house events, customers can talk with experts from local agencies and Pacific Power to ask questions and learn practical steps they can take at home to prepare, such as managing vegetation and putting together an emergency plan. Information will also be available about Pacific Power’s Public Safety Power Shutoff plans, which could be used this year during times of extreme wildfire danger.

Grants Pass Open House – Tuesday, July 9 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Location: Taprock Event Center, 971 SE 6th St., in Grants Pass.

Roseburg Open House – Wednesday, July 10 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Location: Douglas County Fairgrounds, Cascade Hall, 2110 Frear St., in Roseburg. 

Medford Open House – Thursday, July 11 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Location: Ramada Hotel & Conference Center, 2250 Biddle Road in Medford.

Customers seeking additional information on wildfire safety preparedness are encouraged to call 866-869-8520 or visit pacificpower.net/wildfiresafety.

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Pacific Power media hotline:                                   June 25, 2019

1-800-570-5838                                                        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pacific Power helps customers ready for 2019 wildfire season

New information resources available as part of statewide wildfire safety and mitigation efforts

PORTLAND, Ore. — With wildfires becoming more frequent and intense in the West, Pacific Power is adding new safety measures and system enhancements throughout the state to help protect the communities it serves, and to provide safe, reliable power. Starting this week, Pacific Power is launching a wildfire safety and preparedness education effort with new resources to help customers stay safe this wildfire season.

“Our wildfire planning is multifaceted and covers many aspects from vegetation management to increasing our weather forecasting capabilities” said David Lucas, vice president of transmission and distribution operations. “But we’re not alone in this. The entire West is grappling with how to prepare for a time when we’re seeing the threat of catastrophic wildfires on the rise. Thankfully there are preventative measures we all can take to help reduce risks and stay safe this summer.

The following resources are available to help customers prepare and know what to do, should a wildfire become a threat in their area.

Awareness campaign

Beginning today, radio, print and social media ads will appear across Pacific Power service areas to help customers know what they can do to prepare for wildfire season and what Pacific Power is doing to be ready.

Wildfire information web page

Pacific Power’s updated, educational website (www.pacificpower.net/wildfiresafety) provides specific tips on how to prepare and stay safe this wildfire season, along with information about Public Safety Power Shutoffs that could take place in certain regions.

Community events

Pacific Power will be hosting a series of community open houses for customers to learn more about the energy provider’s comprehensive wildfire mitigation plans and Public Safety Power Shutoff measure. Experts will be on hand to answer questions.

• July 9, Grants Pass, Taprock Event Center, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
• July 10, Roseburg, Douglas County Fairgrounds Cascade Hall, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
• July 11, Medford, Ramada Hotel & Conference Center, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
• July 17, Hood River, Best Western Plus Hood River Inn, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Special notice for customers in Public Safety Power Shutoff Regions

This season a Public Safety Power Shutoff may be used in areas of high wildfire risk that Pacific Power will deploy only when extreme weather and catastrophic wildfire conditions warrant. Public Safety Power Shutoffs are expected to be a rare occurrence, and conducted in a way that impacts as few customers as possible.
 
Pacific Power has more information about Public Safety Power Shutoffs on its website at www.pacificpower.net/wildfiresafety. Here, customers can find details on what would prompt a Public Safety Power Shutoff, maps identifying regions at higher risk of wildfire, and information for customers with medical equipment or life support systems to self-identify with Pacific Power for additional emergency notifications and outreach prior to a Public Safety Power Shutoff.
 
Wildfire preparation tips
      Additionally, Pacific Power offers these tips to prepare this season.

• Create a defensible space around your home by removing burnable debris such as dried leaves, dead tree branches and stacks of firewood. Pay special attention to clearing debris beneath decks and gutters.
• Help ensure your family's safety by installing and maintaining smoke alarms and fire extinguishers in your home. Identify adequate sources of water within 1,000 feet of your home, such as a well, hydrant or swimming pool.

• Be sure firefighters can easily access your home should they need to. Keep your driveway clear.
• Create an emergency kit that contains medicines, food, water, battery-powered flashlights and radio and other essentials.
   
  NOTE TO REPORTERS: A Media FAQ is available upon request with additional details. Please contact Pacific Power’s media hotline at 1-800-570-5838 to request a copy.
   
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  About Pacific Power
  Pacific Power provides electric service to more than 740,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. The company works to meet growing energy demand while protecting and enhancing the environment. Pacific Power is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, with almost 1.9 million customers in six western states. Information about Pacific Power is available on the company's website, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages.