ATCO's Proactive Approach to Mitigating Wildfire Risks in 2024

Energy providers around the world are facing new challenges stemming from climate change. At ATCO, we are committed to ensuring our networks remain safe and reliable and prepared for climate impacts.

In response to the escalating occurrence and severity of extreme weather events, including wildfires, ATCO has established a dedicated Climate Adaptation and Reliability team focused on enhancing the reliability of our energy systems.�

The wildfire season of 2023 was unprecedented, with over 100 out-of-control wildfires raging across our service territory in Alberta and the Northwest Territories. These events underscored the need for proactive measures to ensure the safety of our communities and assets. From May to mid-September 2023, our response efforts were tireless, and recovery initiatives continued into February 2024.

As the 2024 wildfire season was declared 10 days earlier than previous years, ATCO recognizes the heightened risk. We?ve initiated proactive steps and robust mitigation strategies. Our focus is on fortifying our infrastructure and safeguarding the well-being of our communities and assets.

Here are some key initiatives that define our commitment:

Installation and Availability of Fire-Resistant Materials

Fire Mesh Program Expansion

Our teams in ATCO Electric undertook a massive effort to rebuild after the 2023 wildfire season and as part of our response and recovery efforts we were able to apply fire mesh to nearly 8000 poles to prevent them from burning.�

For 2024, we have significantly expanded our fire mesh program by having our partner, Genics, begin installation one month earlier than usual, covering over 3,000 poles to date.

In addition, our ATCO Gas valve and station sites have also been designed and constructed with non-flammable materials (i.e chain-link fences, gravel area, tin/concrete structures).�

Piloting New Planning Tools and Equipment�

We are actively piloting new planning tools and equipment to help us plan for, and anticipate wildfire events, as well as enhancement of system safety and resilience during the events. Here are some initiatives we have implemented:

• A geospatial tool for capital investment�to identify and prioritize the most critical updates required to our infrastructure based on asset age, wildfire risk, and historical outage data.�

• An Early Wildfire Detection Project�that uses AI-powered cameras and sensors to swiftly detect forest fires and alert firefighters and officials.�

• New powerline condition monitoring technology�that checks distribution and transmission lines to ensure they are healthy and functioning properly. If the system finds a problem, ATCO will be notified to keep the power lines safe and working as needed.

Vegetation Management

• Our Right of Way Widening program�proactively removes hazardous vegetation near critical clearance zones around ATCO?s infrastructure.� �

Incident Command System (ICS)

ATCO has robust Incident Management Plans that enable us to rapidly mobilize and sustain a coordinated response during out-of-control wildfires.�

The enterprise-wide Crisis Management Committee monitors incidents that could escalate into crises, allowing us to quickly ramp up and sustain a significant coordinated response when an emergency arises.� We also undergo regular testing and training to enhance our emergency response capabilities.

Supply Chain Readiness

We continue to collaborate with supply chain and procurement to ensure that the right materials are available at service points and regional locations to rapidly deploy when a crisis is underway.�

As wildfires continue to pose a significant threat, ATCO remains steadfast in our commitment to safety, reliability, and community wellbeing. Our proactive approach, from fire mesh expansion to new technology adoption, ensures that we?re prepared for the challenges ahead. By working together ATCO remains committed to proactive strategies, enhancing the safety of our communities and assets. Together, we can reduce wildfire risks and build a resilient future.

To keep up-to date on the latest information visit our�ATCO Electric�and�ATCO Gas�Wildfire page.