SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. — Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD) says it will switch equipment settings in specific areas to help reduce wildfire risk.
The announcement came shortly after the National Weather Service in Seattle (NWS) issued a Red Flag Warning for parts of the area.
The alert includes service areas like Darrington, Granite Falls and Index.
PUD says changing the settings will instantly de-energize circuits during faults.
However, the change could lead to longer power outages.
The PUD also shared additional steps it plans to take to reduce wildfire risk:
It will give crews water tanks and hoses, use electric chainsaws to reduce spark risk, and limit field work in these areas to emergencies only.
According to the Snohomish County Wildfire Protection Plan, about 15% of homes are surrounded by large amounts of vegetation and are at high risk of wildfire.
In 2022, the Bolt Creek Fire burned about 15,000 acres of east Snohomish and King counties.