Wildfire Risk Reduction: It’s a Community Effort

by Derek Elder, Chief Operating Officer

GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. - (June 1, 2026)  Wildfire season is growing longer and more severe across the West, and Grand Valley Power’s service territory is no exception. Hotter temperatures, drier conditions, and stronger winds mean the risk of wildfire affects us all. Unfortunately, given the current conditions, it’s only a matter of time before a wildfire will break out. Reducing that risk requires cooperation — among utilities, emergency responders, landowners, and the people who live and work in our communities.

As your locally-owned electric cooperative, we make safety our highest priority. This means delivering reliable electricity safely and protecting our members, employees, and communities from the threat of wildfires. Grand Valley Power works year-round to reduce wildfire risk, but we need your help too. We must discuss how electric infrastructure and wildfires intersect. Electricity is a modern convenience that society expects. However, extreme weather, strong winds, or vegetation contacting power lines can, in rare cases, contribute to wildfire ignition.

Because of this, wildfire mitigation is a core part of how we plan, maintain, and operate our electric system. GVP’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan has guided our efforts for several years and is reviewed regularly. The plan focuses on proactive  maintenance and vegetation management, along with more sensitive system settings during the dry season and times of drought. These measures help reduce the likelihood that GVP’s system will contribute to the ignition of a wildfire. The cooperative also uses technology and explores grants to mitigate fire risk. One such grant from the Colorado Energy Office helped cover the costs to bury nearly one mile of existing power line in the Vega Reservoir area. Across our territory, GVP line personnel also perform regular inspections to help ensure that GVP’s system performs as well as possible under stress. In 2025, crews inspected 41% of GVP’s system, exceeding our benchmark of inspecting 33% of the system annually.

Mitigation Efforts

One of the most effective tools we have to manage risk is aggressive vegetation management. Keeping trees and brush clear of power lines reduces the risk of contact during high winds and dry conditions. GVP uses a contractor to regularly trim trees and remove overgrown vegetation to maintain proper clearances. GVP personnel also inspect the right-of-way to identify and address hazardous trees that could fall during storms. This work is ongoing and prioritized in areas with higher wildfire risk.

As part of our wildfire mitigation plan, we regularly inspect power lines, poles, transformers, and other equipment to identify potential issues before they become problems. Aging equipment is tested and replaced, poles are inspected for structural integrity, and repairs are made to improve safety and reliability. These proactive measures and investments help reduce the risk of equipment failure during extreme conditions.

We also invest in fire-resistant technology wherever feasible. This includes upgrading poles and hardware, installing protective devices that can be remotely adjusted to sensitive settings and shut off power quickly when a fault is detected, and using equipment designed to reduce sparking. These improvements help minimize ignition risk while supporting reliable electric service. GVP is also testing special paint for power poles that protects the pole from burning in the event of a fire.

Monitoring and preparation are equally important. We track weather conditions — especially wind, heat, and humidity — during high-risk periods. Our cooperative works with local fire districts and emergency managers, maintains emergency response and restoration plans, and trains crews in wildfire awareness and response. When conditions become extreme, we may adjust operations to protect public safety. We closely monitor Mesa County’s Fire Restrictions to assess our operational risks.

When the Turner Gulch wildfire ignited last summer, GVP personnel coordinated with local officials to establish open communication channels that were critical to identifying electrical infrastructure, helping keep power on for members in the Unaweep Canyon and Gateway. GVP also worked with firefighters to de-energize line sections as needed to protect fire personnel during their efforts to fight the fast-spreading fire.

How You Can Help

Wildfire prevention is a shared responsibility. Members can make a meaningful difference by maintaining defensible space around homes and buildings, clearing dead vegetation, and keeping grass and brush trimmed. Planting wisely also helps — avoid planting trees under or near power lines and consider fire-resistant landscaping. 

If you see a hazard, please let us know. Report trees leaning into power lines, damaged poles, sagging wires, or sparking equipment immediately. Never attempt electrical work yourself, including trimming trees near power lines. Always stay at least 30 feet away from any downed line, and call Grand Valley Power immediately. 

Because we are member-owned, every decision we make is guided by what’s best for our community. Wildfire mitigation requires planning, investment, and cooperation, and we are committed to doing our part — now and in the years ahead. With your partnership, we can reduce wildfire risk and help keep our communities safe.

Report outages or hazards to 970-242-0040. For questions, concerns, or additional safety tips, please contact us or visit our website at gvp.org.

Prepare for Extended Outages

Members should be prepared for extended outages in case wildfire disrupts power to their service location. In some cases, the wildfire might be many miles away, but the need to disconnect power to keep firefighters safe would mean that members would still lose power.

Public Safety Power Shutoff

Many of you are familiar with the term Public Safety Power Shutoff, or PSPS. This term has become more common over the past year, with large utilities and wholesale power suppliers using it as a tool to mitigate fire risk. While Grand Valley Power does not currently plan to implement a PSPS, that could change; and our members could be impacted by one if our power supplier initiates a PSPS that would shut off the power to our distribution system.

To prepare for extended outages, members should:

• Update your contact information with Grand Valley Power.
• Build an emergency kit with non-perishable food and water.
• Plan for medical necessities (backup oxygen supply/medical devices, medicine, etc.).
• Determine if backup power is necessary.
• Know how to manually operate garage doors, electronic gates, and similar systems.
• Plan for pets and livestock.
• Identify community resources, family contacts, and neighbors, if necessary.
• Identify fire-safe storage or a plan to evacuate with sensitive documents.