Does your bushfire plan survive without power?
South Australians are being urged to consider what their bushfire survival plan looks like if the power is out, ahead of the first regional Fire Danger Seasons coming into effect tomorrow.
Bushfire conditions can affect the electricity network, even when a fire is not burning nearby. Being prepared before fire danger days is the best way to stay safe. That includes having a Power Outage Plan which works with a Bushfire Survival Plan.
South Australians in bushfire-prone regions should always have a torch or low volt portable light and spare batteries, know how to use the manual override on their electric gates or garage doors, and should consider alternate methods for powering pumps.
It is also a good idea to have power banks for mobile phones and keep them fully charged.
SA Power Networks External Affairs Manager Cecilia Schutz said the risk of a power outage in bushfire conditions won’t necessarily be indicated by smoke on the horizon.
“On days which have elevated fire conditions, such as Total Fire Ban days, we might put the network into bushfire protection settings. This is like turning up the sensitivity of the system,” she said.
“Normally, if a branch or animal touches a line, the network may briefly switch off and back on - so customers barely notice. With protection settings on, however, the power stays off until our crews inspect the lines to confirm it’s safe.”
“While these outages are inconvenient, they are a necessary trade-off to protect lives, property, and the community,” Ms Schutz said.
Extreme or prolonged hot weather can also interrupt power supply. And a bushfire could impact supply, or telecommunications signals, even if it is burning some distance away.
SA Power Networks has worked throughout the year to inspect poles and wires and repair faults in preparation for the Fire Danger Season, and to upgrade and maintain equipment to help it withstand severe conditions.
SA Power Networks also clears trees and vegetation near powerlines in bushfire-risk areas annually. Residents can help by ensuring vegetation on their property is also clear of powerlines.
Households can find information and resources to help prepare a Power Outage Plan suitable for bushfire regions on the SA Power Networks website.