SaskPower is once again reminding residents to avoid planting trees near power lines, as vegetation management crews are hard at work keeping trees and branches clear of any fire hazards this summer.
Crews practice vegetation management throughout the year, said a press release, but the current dry conditions are prompting the company to remind Saskatchewan residents to “plant safe.”
About 2,000 power outages occur each year because of trees growing into power lines, said SaskPower, and can also cause serious wildfires and sparkfires.
SaskPower crews do their best to clear hazardous vegetation by machine mulching, applying herbicides, and manual removals with chainsaw, but the Crown is also asking residents to join the effort.
“We ask that the public do their part as well by planting trees a safe distance from power lines, poles or other electrical equipment,” said Tim Eckel, SaskPower Vice-President of Asset Management, Planning and Sustainability in a press release. “Always consider the height a tree will reach when fully grown, and plant accordingly. Never trim trees near powerlines yourself as this creates a serious risk of electric shock.”
To plant safe, residents are to keep all trees and bushes at least three metres from any powerlines. Trees that will reach 12 metres in height have to be at least six metres away from any power lines, and trees that will reach more than 12 metres in height must be planted at least 15 metres away.
SaskPower also noted that vegetation deemed to be growing in unsafe places may be cut back or removed by SaskPower crews, and that planting trees anywhere in the area of transmission lines is not allowed.
More information about safe planting guidelines can be found at SaskPower.com/plantsmart.
