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Council urges Level 1 fire restrictions as staff warns new utility de‑energization policy could extend outages
Summary
Summit County recommended the state forester impose Level 1 wildland fire restrictions amid low fuel moisture and fire risk; staff also warned Rocky Mountain Power's updated policy to de‑energize lines within six miles of smoke during high risk periods could cause more frequent and longer outages and affect water/wastewater operations.
County fire and emergency staff briefed the council on wildfire risk and recommended that Summit County request the state forester impose a Level 1 wildland fire restriction. "My recommendation... would be to go into a level 1 fire restriction in the Summit County area," one presenter said, citing dry fuels and weather outlooks.
Council members moved to transmit a recommendation through the county wildland fire warden to the state forester; the motion passed by voice vote. Staff explained Level 1 restrictions commonly prohibit campfires not in improved pits, restrict fireworks and some types of hot work, and restrict target shooting in dry vegetation.
Separately, county staff warned that Rocky Mountain Power has revised its de‑energization policy. Under the new guidance, in high risk conditions the utility may de‑energize lines if there is a fire or smoke report within roughly six miles of power infrastructure, and will not reenergize until company crews have verified containment and reenergized the line. Staff said that practice could lead to more frequent and longer power outages; in some places a de‑energized line could cause downstream water and wastewater systems to lose power, potentially affecting hydrants, pumps and wastewater treatment and prompting mutual‑aid responses.
Councilors asked about resource posture and community notifications. Staff said there are water tenders and mutual‑aid mechanisms, and that Rocky Mountain Power typically issues initial outage notifications; county emergency management said it would activate coordinated messaging and cooling/charging centers as needed.
Next steps: the council transmitted a formal recommendation to the state forester via the county wildland fire warden and staff will continue coordination with fire districts, Rocky Mountain Power and water/wastewater providers.
