Pole fires

Pole fires are a common cause of power outages in the spring.

In the spring when conditions are just right, pole fires can keep our crews busy. But what exactly is a pole fire? And how do we respond?

April showers bring … spring pole fires

Pole fires are a common cause of power outages during the spring months. When it's dusty and dirty after a long winter, sand and salt can cover the insulators that connect wires to the top of power poles. Add a bit of light rain or a snowstorm and the moisture can mix with the debris to create a conductive path for electricity to travel from the wires to the pole. Once the electricity hits the pole, it gets hot and then starts a fire.

Crews might only see one pole fire in an evening, and at other times, they might receive calls of multiple pole fires. Although they're most common after the first spring rain or a spring snowstorm, they can also pop up in the fall if we have a hot, dry summer.

Red alert response

Customers are usually the first to notice if a pole is smoldering or on fire, and call 911 to alert the fire department. EPCOR crews work with fire officials on scene to put out the flames and assess the outage.

Sometimes the fire itself will knock out power. At other times, EPCOR crews must turn off power to the area to fix the pole, or if there is the potential for the pole to fall over. Safety is always our first concern!

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Repairing the pole

Depending on the intensity of the fire and what part of the pole was damaged, crews might need to:

Temporarily repair a section of the pole by installing supports called "cross arms" until crews can replace the pole at a later date.
Replace the entire pole immediately. This is a lengthy repair that involves digging out the old pole and installing a brand new one.

Learn more about how we respond when the power goes out.

Disclaimer

This webpage provides information regarding safe work practices in relation to EPCOR power facilities. Employers and contractors have responsibilities under the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (Alberta OHS) Act, Code, and Regulation. When there is a conflict between this document and any bylaws, legislation, or regulation, the relevant law prevails. Any reliance placed on this information is strictly at your own risk. EPCOR does not assume any responsibility or liability for any action, loss or damage that arises out of, or is in connection with the information contained in this webpage.