BC Hydro is warning British Columbia (B.C.) that there may be more power outages than usual this winter.
This summer’s extremely dry weather and record number of wildfires have caused significant damage to the state’s trees, significantly increasing the risk of power outages.
In a statement, BC Hydro spokeswoman Susie Rieder said, “Prolonged dryness is stressing vegetation,” adding that the dryness has weakened trees, made them more susceptible to disease and caused them to grow even later in the season. Because leaves remain and the area is susceptible to wind, rain and snow, many trees and branches may fall during the windy season, leading to concerns that this could cause power outages.
Trees and bad weather are the biggest causes of power outages in B.C. Additionally, hydropower systems in northern and southeastern B.C. have been affected by low water levels this year.
BC Hydro is asking residents to prepare for expected power outages. In addition to preparing an emergency kit with 72 hours’ worth of supplies, he urges people to understand what to do in the event of a power outage and how to gather the latest disaster information.