Fort Jones system resiliency

We’re taking actions to enhance reliability and reduce the risk of equipment-related wildfires. These steps include replacing aging overhead power lines in areas with higher wildfire risk with fire-resistant infrastructure, such as covered conductor, and undergrounding lines in some areas.

In total, 200 miles of line rebuild projects are planned in the Fort Jones area. These enhancements will help improve the reliability of our system as we adapt to the growing threat of wildfire in the West.

• These projects will upgrade the safety and reliability of power lines to help prevent wildfire.
• This project will increase community safety by replacing wooden poles with steel poles, and using covered conductor on power lines, which will significantly reduce wildfire risk.

• The Fort Jones projects are broken into three segments that will be worked on at different times:
  • The Fort Jones Part 1 project will replace 40 miles of bare conductor with covered tree wire and replace 800 wooden distribution poles and 90 transmission structures.  
  • The Fort Jones Part 2 project will replace 80 miles of bare conductor with covered tree wire and replace 1,600 wooden distribution poles. On the transmission line, 8 miles of bare conductor will be replaced with covered tree wire and 150 wooden transmission poles will be replaced with steel structures.
  • The Walker Bryan project will replace 80 miles of bare conductor with covered tree wire and replace 1,600 wooden distribution poles and 140 wooden transmission poles.    
• Pacific Power is working closely with Siskiyou County, Quartz Valley, the California Department of Transportation, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Forest Service on these projects.

• The Fort Jones Part 1 project has completed surveys and design. As some permitting continues, the permitted portion of the project is under construction with replacement of conductor and poles. This project is expected to be completed in 2026. See map below.

• The Fort Jones Part 2 project is planned to start construction before the end of 2025 with planned completion in 2026.
• The Walker Bryan project is planned to start construction before the end of 2025 with planned completion in 2026.  

• Pacific Power Wildfire Safety
• PacifiCorp Wildfire Mitigation Plans