Protection, prevention and pride: Meet our Forestry team

While “electricity distribution” normally evokes images of poles and wires rather than trees, FortisAlberta’s forestry department plays a critical role in keeping the lights on for Alberta homes, farms and businesses. Their work extends far beyond pruning and vegetation removals; it’s about protecting communities, preventing outages and reducing wildfire risk across our province’s unique landscapes.

Keeping you connected: A behind-the-scenes look 

Reliable electricity relies on managing vegetation to prevent interference. Close-growing trees can result in outages, especially during inclement weather. Forestry works year-round to ensure vegetation remains a safe distance from the 133,000 kilometers of power lines across our service area

If we don’t stay ahead of growth, the risk of outages increases, and that’s something customers should not have to worry about,” says Mike Smith, who leads southern operational planning for the department.

It means he and his colleagues don’t just react to problems; they anticipate them. Crews inspect lines for potential risks before they become hazards. Data on tree species, growth rates and local weather patterns are used to plan pruning, removals and herbicide applications months in advance. Landowners, municipalities and even stakeholder experts are consulted to ensure work is done safely and with minimal disruption.

At the front lines of wildfire prevention 

Our infrastructure can be exposed to extreme conditions during wildfire season, and we take every precaution to ensure that the risk of ignition from our system is minimized. Forestry helps mitigate risk by creating defensible space around infrastructure and working closely with communities.

“After the last wildfire season, communities are more focused on fire prevention,” says Morgan Frank, who oversees administrative operations.

“We live in a place that can be dry, and there’s a shared responsibility in proactively mitigating these concerns.”

The team reviews high-risk zones and adjusts work plans based on seasonal fire conditions. They also liaise with municipalities to help residents understand their essential role in protecting their properties: selecting the best species for planting and proactively maintaining growth to prevent interference with overhead equipment.

Adapting to seasons and terrain 

Here in Alberta, our landscape and forests are just as varied as our weather. Each region (and their residing species) comes with unique considerations, and the team factors in growth patterns, canopy characteristics, root stability and even how certain species respond to pruning.

In the north, frequent trimming is required for the fast-growing poplars that quickly encroach on lines. In the foothills, heavy snow and ice on dense branches lead to an increased risk of breakage. In the prairies, willow and ornamental trees grow close to power lines on farms, requiring careful planning to maintain clearance without disrupting wind protection for crops. Conditions for access also vary between regions, which requires careful planning and thorough communication with affected customers to ensure a sound plan is in place.

“There’s a unique, evidence-informed game plan for every site we work at,” Smith explains.

“Our goal is to leave every area in better shape than we found it, and that means adapting our strategy to fit the landscape.”

Power through partnership 

With much of our infrastructure on private property, FortisAlberta works in tandem with customers to ensure electricity supply remains safe and reliable. It’s natural for customers to be curious about the work FortisAlberta conducts on their property.

“Maintaining and developing positive relationships with customers is crucial,” Smith adds.

“Our teams are trained to help ensure everyone understands the benefits and reasons behind our work. It’s all about finding common ground and making sure the customer is informed and comfortable with what’s happening.”

Central to this relationship are the trusted certified contractors the forestry team enlists to complete on-site brushing work. 

“Often, they’re the ones driving into people’s driveways and having those face-to-face chats. Contractors share our commitment to safety and quality,” he says. 

“We help train them, we monitor their work, and we make sure they meet the same standards to which we hold ourselves.” 

Managing risk with intention 

The forestry team leverages technology and expertise to prioritize their efforts and make the best possible decisions for the safety of Albertans and the reliability of their electricity. The department and their contractors are well-versed in assessing vegetation status across our 225,000 square kilometre service area, and crews and equipment are deployed accordingly. 

“We’re here to help, and every concern is taken seriously,” says Frank. 

“Our team is always available for open and honest conversations about the work we’re performing.” 

Where passion meets purpose 

The forestry department’s work is driven by dedication and pride. Every patrol, conversation and decision reflects a commitment to keeping Alberta’s communities safe and connected. 

“We’re lucky to live and work in this province, and we’re passionate about the impact we’re able to make,” Frank adds. 

“We take pride when we can plan a project, have crews come through and complete the work, and then see the site after thinking, ‘Wow, that looks really great!"