Building a resilient grid
Jun 30, 2026, 15:56 PMIn some parts of Alberta, power lines need to run through dense trees, rugged terrain or areas with limited clearance. In these areas, FortisAlberta uses spaced aerial cable systems or tree wire with covered conductors to maintain reliable service and reduce wildfire risk.
A layered approach to wildfire prevention
Addressing wildfire risk is complex. Reducing the risk requires more than one solution. At FortisAlberta, wildfire mitigation is built around a comprehensive, year-round strategy that combines advanced technology, system design improvements and field operations.
- Risk assessment: Identifying wildfire risk and investing in the right tools in the right place.
- Situational awareness: Understanding local and forecast conditions, supported by layered data sources including FortisAlberta-owned weather stations.
- Operational practices: Taking actions to help keep communities safe, including Public Safety Power Shutoff programs in designated areas.
- Grid design and hardening: strengthening infrastructure using tools, by strategically choosing use of covered conductors in heavily treed areas with narrow rights-of-ways and using other tools and technologies to make the system more resilient.
- Vegetation management: Maintaining safe clearances by trimming trees and shrubs across more than 133,000 kilometers of power line.
- Asset inspections and management: Regularly inspecting and maintaining more than 1.1 million poles across the system.
- Wildfire response and recovery: Preparing and training so we can respond quickly and restore service following wildfire events.
- Communications planning: Sharing important information about prevention, preparedness and response.
In this video, Lead Power Line Technician, Richard, shares one example of grid design that makes our electric distribution system stronger and safer when operating in dense and rugged terrain. He shares information about how spaced aerial cable systems are installed and how this system reduces wildfire risk and helps keep communities connected.
Seeing risk before it becomes a problem
A key part of wildfire mitigation is understanding where and when risk is highest. FortisAlberta monitors local conditions across more than 240 communities, combining long-term risk modeling, real-time weather modeling and advanced wildfire intelligence tools to develop a localized and dynamic view of wildfire risk. This supports timely decisions and targeted mitigation measures where they are needed the most.
Preparing today, resilient tomorrow
Wildfires are a reality in Alberta, but through planning, technology and continuous improvement, FortisAlberta is working to reduce risk and help protect the communities it serves. From advanced grid design to real-time monitoring and frontline operations, every layer of the strategy is focused on one goal:
Delivering safe, reliable electricity while helping prevent wildfires before they start.
For more information about FortisAlberta’s wildfire mitigation strategies visit Wildfire Safety and the Wildfire Mitigation YouTube playlist.
