Medford, OR – Pacific Power is nearing the completion of an ambitious infrastructure upgrade project in the Mt. Shasta area, which began in 2021. The initiative aims to reduce the risk of equipment-related wildfires while improving service reliability for local residents.
As part of the project, the utility company replaced 46 miles of power lines with covered conductor cables in 2024. Covered conductor technology helps mitigate wildfire risks by reducing the likelihood of sparks caused by interference with power lines, such as contact with trees, animals, or debris.
Simon Gutierrez, Senior Communications Specialist with Pacific Power, explained that the new cables significantly lower the chances of both wildfires and power outages. “When these lines are installed, there’s a much lower risk of a spark coming from these lines when there’s interference,” Gutierrez said. “There’s also less of a likelihood that there will be an outage from small events like animal interference or a small branch or a balloon touching the lines.”
The project follows a previous incident in Talent, Oregon, where more than 14,000 residents experienced a power outage after a squirrel came into contact with Pacific Power’s infrastructure. Talent does not yet have covered conductor technology, but the company has plans to install the lines in the future as part of its broader infrastructure improvements across Southern Oregon and Northern California.
In 2025, Pacific Power plans to extend the covered conductor installations to additional areas, including Cave Junction, Grants Pass, and Hood River, Oregon. The company is also upgrading other components of the system, including replacing expulsion fuses and implementing automation upgrades in cities such as Roseburg, Klamath Falls, Medford, Ashland, and Bend.
While the infrastructure upgrades have led to minor service disruptions in Mt. Shasta, Pacific Power has made efforts to minimize inconvenience. The company ensures customers are informed in advance of any outages, whether through direct notifications, such as door knocks or phone calls.
These efforts reflect Pacific Power’s ongoing commitment to improving safety and service reliability in the region, while also addressing the growing threat of wildfires in Northern California and Southern Oregon.