At first glance, utility poles seem like just another part of the rural landscape – simple wooden structures lining the roads and pastures of our region. But these poles are the backbone of our electric grid, supporting the lines that bring safe, reliable power to your homes, farms and businesses every day.

Unfortunately, they are also vulnerable to preventable damage from a variety of sources. If you plan to initiate a controlled burn of ditches or other areas, please be aware of poles when doing so. Controlled burns can easily and quickly burn out of control, and the result could be a damaged electric pole. Poles that burn through must be replaced, but even poles that are blackened may not be worth keeping, and this comes at a cost.

During the intense heat of a grass fire, preservatives in the pole may boil and seep out. This can leave the pole more brittle and prone to wind, ice or lightning damage that could cause widespread outages. If the pole is damaged to the point of replacement, the member will be charged the cost of equipment plus labor to replace it. Please exercise caution when doing a controlled burn in the vicinity of a utility pole.

The consequences of a downed utility pole extend far beyond a temporary inconvenience. A damaged pole can lead to widespread power outages, leaving entire neighborhoods without electricity for extended periods.

Beyond outages, the hazards associated with a damaged pole are severe. Live power lines can fall to the ground, creating extremely dangerous situations that can cause serious injuries or even be fatal if touched. Downed lines, even if appearing harmless, should always be treated as energized.