AltaLink Takes Action to Reduce Wildfire Risk
August 24, 2026
Company initiates public safety power shutoff for first time in its history during second quarter of 2026
AltaLink is committed to reducing the likelihood of its transmission system igniting a catastrophic wildfire. During the second quarter of 2026, for the first time in AltaLink’s history, AltaLink initiated its public safety power shutoff (PSPS) program during extreme weather conditions in the MD of Provost to reduce the risk of its assets igniting a wildfire.
On May 3, 2026, extreme weather conditions prompted the proactive de-energization of two transmission lines to reduce the risk of wildfire ignition posed by dry, cured grass and high winds. Fortunately, the PSPS didn’t require a power outage to customers.
“We understand how important electricity is to everyone’s lives and this is a last resort response after all other options have been exhausted,” said Paul Lee, AltaLink President. “We don’t make the decision to proactively de-energize transmission lines lightly. However, we’ve all seen how the impacts of a wildfire can be devastating.”
When wildfire conditions are extreme, AltaLink will proactively de-energize transmission lines as part of a PSPS to prevent the transmission system from potentially causing a spark that could start a wildfire. That may mean a power outage for communities until it is safe to re-energize the transmission line.
“Every situation is different. Before de-energizing a transmission line, we consider weather conditions, including heat, wind and humidity, and ground conditions including the availability of fuel,” said Mr. Lee. “We leverage daily fire hazard reports, advanced weather stations, cameras and on-the-ground resources to continually monitor, review and verify these conditions near our transmission lines.”
In 2019, AltaLink established its wildfire mitigation program to reduce the likelihood that the transmission system would contribute to the ignition of a wildfire. Since then, the company has strengthened infrastructure, improved vegetation management programs, increased the frequency of inspections, and enhanced situational awareness of high-risk wildfire conditions in its service territory, all measures noted in the Government of Alberta’s Wildfire Mitigation Strategy. AltaLink engages with stakeholders throughout its service territory to share information about all aspects of its wildfire mitigation program, including the process in the event that a PSPS is triggered.
In addition to these efforts, AltaLink, along with ATCO Energy Systems and FortisAlberta, the owners and operators of the electric transmission and distribution networks in Alberta’s highest-risk areas have formed the Alberta Wildfire Utility Coalition. The Wildfire Utility Coalition is aligning efforts to reduce wildfire risk and strengthen system resilience.
