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As the frequency and intensity of wildfires escalate across Canada, the country’s electricity infrastructure, primarily reliant on wooden utility poles, faces unprecedented challenges. With over a thousand poles damaged in the past year alone, the impact is particularly severe for rural and remote communities, prompting utility companies to explore innovative solutions to safeguard power supply amid the flames.
The Dangers of a Wooden Network
Canada’s electricity grid is woven through a tapestry of densely forested landscapes, with wooden utility poles forming the backbone of this vital infrastructure. However, each summer brings the looming threat of wildfires, which can devastate these wooden structures. In 2023, wildfires wreaked havoc, damaging more than 1,000 utility poles across the nation, leading to widespread power outages in some of the most vulnerable communities.
Jasper, Alberta, serves as a stark example. Connected to the provincial power grid via a newly established transmission line in 2019, the town found itself at the mercy of nature just three years later. The Chetamon wildfire scorched approximately 6,000 hectares of Jasper National Park, severely damaging the power lines and resulting in a power outage that lasted over a week. The situation worsened in 2024 when another ferocious wildfire left residents without power for up to 16 days, creating significant hardships for those whose homes remained intact.
“The single long power arm reaching into Jasper is our Achilles’ heel,” remarked Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland in a recent interview. “When that gets affected, we are simply left without power. It’s hardly a grid; we are more of a tentacle.”
Rural Communities at Risk
The repercussions of power failures extend beyond mere inconveniences. During the 2022 wildfire crisis, rolling blackouts and reliance on backup generators became necessary to meet the town’s electricity demands. Mayor Ireland lamented the “devastating impact” on a community that relies heavily on tourism. The infrastructure needed to protect such a small town is often overwhelming and beyond the capabilities of many rural utilities.
Similar scenarios unfold across Canada. In Clinton, British Columbia, the Kelly Lake substation fell victim to a massive wildfire in July, causing power disruptions for customers hundreds of kilometres away. B.C. Hydro reported losing 115 distribution poles and two transmission structures as a result of wildfire damage. In northern Manitoba, the O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation experienced a three-week power outage after wildfires damaged utility poles, leaving residents reliant on generators and intermittent fuel deliveries. Councillor Rita Thomas highlighted the dire situation for members with critical health needs, stating, “It’s discouraging, especially for our people with health issues.”
Innovative Solutions and Future Strategies
In response to the escalating wildfire threats, utility companies are adopting new technologies and strategies to bolster their infrastructure. In British Columbia, utility poles are treated with fire retardant, while in high-risk areas, companies are replacing wooden structures with fire-resistant materials like fibreglass-reinforced polymer or steel. Additionally, wildfire-resistant mesh has been installed on thousands of poles, expanding and insulating the wood when exposed to extreme heat.
ATCO Electric, which has been proactive in fire prevention since the devastating 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire, reports that about 10 per cent of its distribution network is now protected with wildfire-resistant mesh. “We are balancing performance, public safety, reliability, and affordability when managing wildfire risk,” explained Gurb Hari, vice-president of engineering and construction. Yet, he acknowledged the limitations of these measures, stating, “There is always a risk, and the most effective way to mitigate it is to bury all power lines.”
The Path Ahead
The ongoing shift in wildfire patterns due to climate change has prompted experts like Kevin Hanna, director at the Centre for Environmental Assessment Research at the University of British Columbia, to call for a comprehensive reevaluation of power supply strategies in remote communities. He pointed out that many areas face a singular route for power supply, making them particularly vulnerable.
“Power disruptions from wildfires disproportionately affect rural and remote communities,” noted Dr. Hanna. “This systemic risk necessitates new thinking and innovative approaches to our energy supply systems.”
Why it Matters
The intensifying wildfire seasons are not just a natural disaster; they are a clarion call for a systemic overhaul of Canada’s electrical infrastructure, especially in rural and remote regions. As communities grapple with the compounding effects of climate change, ensuring the resilience of power supplies becomes paramount not only for daily convenience but for the very survival of residents who rely on electricity for health and safety. The need for innovative solutions and proactive strategies has never been more urgent.
