PGE denies added fire risk

Power company claims power line will reduce fire danger

Portland General Electric disagreed with our February story headed “New power lines in Forest Park would add to fire danger.”

PGE spokesperson Andrea Platt responded with this argument:

“Your piece indicated that removing tree canopy would lead to a drying forest that would be ‘more susceptible to ignition, which would burn more rapidly and intensely than in an uninterrupted forest.’

“This is inaccurate because the vegetation and trees within an area are all competing for limited moisture in the ground. When trees are removed, more moisture remains for existing vegetation and trees. While the surface fuels are susceptible for canopy exposure, the drought indices across Oregon—including in this particular region—have shown that tree mortality is happening above an exponential rate. A reduction in water budget demand can actually help surrounding vegetation.”

This brings to mind a joke that includes advice to a cowboy who was overworking his horse: “The faster you go, the cooler you get.”

If we really want to save Forest Park from fire, perhaps we need even more power lines.

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