Grants Pass 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, over 500 miles of line rebuild projects are planned in the Grants Pass area, with about 100 project miles planned for 2025. These enhancements will help improve the reliability of our system as we adapt to the growing threat of wildfire in the West.

• The Grants Pass projects will improve the safety and reliability of distribution lines to help prevent wildfire.
• Replacing wooden poles with steel poles and using covered conductor on lines in the area will significantly reduce wildfire risk. 

The Grants Pass projects are broken into segments that will be worked on simultaneously:

• The Riverbanks project will replace 70 miles of bare conductor with tree wire and replace 1,550 wooden poles with steel poles.
• The East Fish Hatchery project has replaced 7 miles of bare conductor with tree wire and replaced 150 wooden poles with steel poles.
• The West Fish Hatchery project has replaced 10 miles of bare conductor with tree wire and replaced 200 wooden poles with steel poles.
• The Sleepy Hollow Loop project has replaced 6 miles of bare conductor with tree wire and replaced 140 wooden poles with steel poles.
• The Cheney Creek Road project will replace 8 miles of bare conductor with tree wire and replace 150 wooden poles with steel poles.
• The Selma Deer Creek Road project will replace 6 miles of bare conductor with tree wire and replace 150 wooden poles with steel poles.
• The Sanitarium Road project will replace 3 miles of bare conductor with tree wire and replace 43 wooden poles with steel poles.
• The Hugo Wirona Pleasant Valley project will replace 75 miles of bare conductor with tree wire and replace 1,800 wooden poles with steel poles.
• The South Lower River Road project will replace 46 miles of bare conductor with tree wire and replace 1,032 wooden poles with steel poles.
• The Saratoga Way & Plumtree Lane project will replace 10 miles of bare conductor with tree wire and replace 200 wooden poles with steel poles.
• Pacific Power is working closely with Josephine County, the Oregon 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.
• These projects are funded in part through U.S. Department of Energy grants, helping keep costs lower for customers.

• The Riverbanks Road project is under construction. Conductor and poles are currently being replaced, and the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
• The East Fish Hatchery Road, West Fish Hatchery Road and Sleepy Hollow Loop projects have completed construction. 
• The Cheney Creek Road project is under construction. Conductor and poles are currently being replaced, and the project is expected to be completed by June 2025.
• The Selma Deer Creek Road project is under construction. Conductor and poles are currently being replaced, and the project is expected to be completed by May 2025.
• The Sanitarium Road project is under construction. Conductor and poles are currently being replaced, and the project is expected to be completed by February 2025.
• The Hugo Wirona Pleasant Valley project is under construction. Conductor and poles are currently being replaced, and the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
• The South Lower River Road project is under construction. Conductor and poles are currently being replaced, and the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
• The Plumtree Lane project is under construction. Conductor and poles are currently being replaced, and the project is expected to be completed by July 2025. 

Deer Creek Road | Q4 2025

• In planning phase
  • Construction is expected to take place in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Saratoga Way | Q2 2026

• In planning phase
  • Construction is expected to take place in the first half of 2026.

• Pacific Power Wildfire Safety
• PacifiCorp Wildfire Mitigation Plans