Pacific Power outlines wildfire‑hardening plan for Yreka and warns costs will be passed to customers

Jill Drinkwater, Pacific Power’s California regional business manager, told the council the utility is accelerating wildfire-hardening work across its sparse, high-risk service territory. She said Pacific Power has replaced more than 20 miles of line in Yreka and over 400 poles since 2020 and expects to replace more than 120 miles of bare wire in 2026 across its California system. Drinkwater described measures including covered conductor (fire‑resistant insulated wire), steel or fiberglass poles, sectionalizing devices to limit outage areas, vegetation work and a 24/7 wildfire intelligence center based in Medford.

Drinkwater acknowledged the program’s cost will be shared with ratepayers and pointed councilors to regulatory oversight: “The California Public Utilities Commission is—they oversee the regulatory framework that we have to abide by as a utility,” she said, describing the process for rate applications and the CARE/CARE‑plus assistance programs for income‑qualified customers. Mayor Baker and other council members pressed Pacific Power on rate impacts and customer notices; one council member said, “Our power bills have more than doubled in the last two years,” and asked how residents can have more say over costs. Pacific Power responded that rate changes are subject to CPUC review and that the company posts filings and materials on its website.

Councilors also raised local operational concerns: how quickly communications companies move when poles are replaced (Pacific Power said joint‑use partners typically have 90 days to relocate) and accessibility issues where old poles reduce sidewalk clearance. Pacific Power said it will prioritize high fire-threat areas and work with the city on timing and communications.