"Power lines and electrical equipment are a leading cause of California wildfires."
That was the title of an LA Times article from October 2017. But since then, not much has been done about it.
Fortunately, there is an easy way to take the danger out of living in close proximity to power lines, while improving the scenic beauty of our neighborhoods at the same time: Moving utility wires underground.
Tell the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors: Support the undergrounding of utility wires.
Anywhere from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of acres of land in California are burned annually due to fires caused by above-ground utility lines. Here in Los Angeles, we are not protected from these blazes simply because we live in a metropolis.
The Santa Ana winds and the dry hills bordering our city make Los Angeles especially at risk of these types of blazes. The Getty Fire of 2019, which sparked when a tree branch collapsed into a utility pole, is just one horrific example.
We all know power lines are an eyesore, obstructing views in our own neighborhoods and throughout the region. But not everyone realizes they also pose a real threat to our lives and our environment, especially as the effects of climate change become more and more severe.
Utility companies have taken measures to stave off the danger of wildfires, but it often doesn't work. Even clearing brush near high voltage wires isn't guaranteed to keep the flames at bay. And the current alternative of mandatory power outages during wind storms leaves millions in L.A. and around the state without power for hours or even days.
The current style of hanging electric wires from utility poles dates back to the 19th century, so why are we still using it today if there's a better way?
Sign our petition now and join us in demanding that the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors support undergrounding power lines to protect our city from deadly fires.
