Suzanne Oel – Division 4
Greetings! Sharing my News Update…
Welcome to 2026: Sending you best wishes for a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year!
Emergency Response Backstory continued: Due to recent windstorms and fire activity in West Foothills, there continues to be keen interest in prevention, emergency preparation and response. In my last article I shared the behind the scenes details related to the first responders’ efforts on November 13, 2025. To add another perspective, I am writing about the involvement of FortisAlberta during emergencies, and their work on wildfire mitigation strategies. On December 15, due to a strong windstorm, another extensive power outage occurred in the Foothills County-Redwood Meadows- Nation area, affecting approximately 900 electricity customers.
Reminders: Windstorms and wildfires, like the November 13 events in the West Foothills, remind us how quickly conditions can change and why preparedness matters. During these events, Foothills Fire Department and mutual aid partners worked tirelessly with ground crews and aerial support to contain the flames, and a timely snowfall on November 14 helped dampen hotspots. We are very grateful to everyone who helped!
While first responders battled the fires, FortisAlberta also worked behind the scenes and alongside emergency crews to protect communities and maintain safe, reliable electricity service. FortisAlberta’s local crews are always available and the 24/7, 365 control centre continuously monitors the distribution system, using real-time weather and fire data to anticipate risks. This close coordination with fire departments and local teams ensures rapid response and proactive measures to help keep communities safe.
Emergency Response in Action: During the evening of November 13, eight FortisAlberta Power Line Technicians (PLTs) from Okotoks and Cochrane responded on site to multiple calls, including downed trees on lines, 9-1-1 fire reports, and power outages. Working in pairs, PLTs checked in at fire locations to ensure conditions were electrically safe before proceeding with repairs, such as clearing trees and restoring damaged lines. This process involved constant communication between fire crews and PLTs, with both teams advising each other and providing valuable expertise and skills to maintain safety for everyone, especially to those responding to the emergency.
FortisAlberta trains their PLTs to work safely in challenging conditions, as well as provides electrical safety training for first responders to identify and respond safely if there is a downed power line, or other line contacts occur, such as a tree on the line. This partnership helps to coordinate responses that prioritize public safety.
FortisAlberta Wildfire Strategies: FortisAlberta has a comprehensive wildfire mitigation strategy with proactive measures to help prevent and prepare for wildfires. This includes regular patrols and equipment inspections, vegetation management to reduce potential contact with power lines, upgrading and strengthening the system with fire-resistant materials, and operational practices that minimize risk. Their strategy also incorporates effective wildfire response and recovery, supported by advanced technologies, such as remote sensing and automated grid controls. We appreciate these efforts and commitment to sustainability and safety, where they are working not only to respond to emergencies but also to prevent them.
Stay Informed and Be Prepared: Community preparation is just as important as prevention and community resilience. FortisAlberta encourages residents to:
- Update contact information with your utility retailer (the company that issues your bill).
- Prepare for a power outage and sign up for outage alerts and restoration updates: www.fortisalberta.com/outages/prepare-for-an-outage
- Create an emergency plan and prepare supplies for wind, wildfire and winter storms. View helpful resources: www.alberta.ca/emergency-preparedness
- As needed, contact: 310-WIRE (9473)
The November 13 fires showed how quickly conditions can escalate, but also how collaboration between emergency responders, utilities and residents can make a difference. By working together, staying informed and being prepared, we can reduce risks and protect our community.
Safety Topics: View more information about downed power lines, farm safety, power line clearances, power line safety for workers, locating underground power lines, home safety, space heating safety, holiday safety, home generator safety, tree trimming, lightning safety, and more: www.fortisalberta.com/safety
Thank you to FortisAlberta: for contributing content for this article and for their ongoing work to keep the power on for customers 24/7!
For Other News & Updates:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CouncillorSuzanneOel/
Email: Suzanne.Oel@FoothillsCountyAB.ca
Visit High Country News online for my previous articles.
With Best Regards,
Suzanne
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