In recognition of its exceptional response efforts during the 2023 wildfire season in Alberta and the Northwest Territories, ATCO Electric has been honoured with the prestigious Edison Electric Institute (EEI) Emergency Response Award. This accolade highlights ATCO's commitment to emergency preparedness, dedication to community support, and commitment to swift and safe power restoration amid unprecedented challenges.

The 2023 Wildfires - ATCO?s Response and Recovery Efforts 

In 2023, Northwestern Canada faced some of the most extensive wildfires on record. Over 2.2 million hectares burned in Alberta and over 4 million hectares burned in the Northwest Territories (NWT). As a result, ATCO Electric experienced severe emergency recovery from numerous relentless wildfires, requiring a coordinated multi-jurisdictional response. 

The dedicated teams involved in response and recovery worked tirelessly, responding to emerging wildfires and reallocating resources to protect critical infrastructure. At its peak, over 750 employees worked to safeguard over 50 communities amid major evacuations. Despite facing treacherous conditions, ATCO Electric's teams maintained electricity operation for essential firefighting services. 
 
Throughout the service area, wildfires continued to grow rapidly, impacting multiple communities and customers, leading to mandatory evacuations and prolonged challenges in suppression and control. Additionally, new fires emerged in similar areas, causing further damage that persisted long after the initial event. 
 
During the response, ATCO prevented a large-scale system failure that could have affected northern Alberta, including major population centres like Grande Prairie, Grande Cache, and High Level. The company suffered losses of four transmission lines, two substations, and multiple voltage control devices in Valleyview and Peace River due to fires. To maintain stability, ATCO promptly shed load in the area and worked to protect assets, despite facing limited access and environmental hurdles. Responders also mitigated safety risks so that we could safely manage intense fires, displaced wildlife, and debris, complicating recovery efforts. 
 
The severity and scope of the fires also led to smoke crossing international borders, impacting air quality, visibility, and health far beyond Canada, reaching as far as Europe. 
 
Despite challenges, ATCO Electric's swift response and implementation of their Incident Command System (ICS) facilitated the strategic allocation of resources, preventing widespread power outages that could have impacted major population centres. Our teams always took a safety-first approach to everything we did, while maintaining operational continuity and community support in the face of adversity. 

In the aftermath, the team implemented mitigation strategies such as using fire wrap to protect 7,200 electrical poles and proactive vegetation management around critical infrastructure. These measures not only mitigated damage but also showcased ATCO?s commitment to resilience and reliability.

Furthermore, ATCO's Incident Management Plans and local Incident Command Teams supported by a centralized Emergency Coordination Team played critical roles in coordinating a cohesive response, ensuring prompt support to evacuated areas where communication systems were compromised. The company?s community-oriented initiatives, including the ATCO Family Fire Relief Program and support for Indigenous communities like the Dene Tha' First Nation, demonstrated a dedication that extended beyond operational excellence. We also saw ATCO employees personally affected by the fires, who not only actively worked the emergency response but also faced displacement and loss, mirroring the experiences of many families impacted by the devastating wildfires.

?I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our emergency response teams for their extraordinary efforts in response to the devastating wildfires in 2023. Their dedication, courage, and tireless commitment were instrumental in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of their fellow employees and our communities. It is their amazing efforts that have made this recognition possible. Thanks to everyone who played a role in this response for going above and beyond in the face of unprecedented challenges."  - Melanie Bayley, President ATCO Electric 

The recognition from EEI underscores ATCO Electric's commitment to emergency preparedness and an unwavering dedication to community support.

Moving forward, ATCO remains resolute in its mission to enhance resilience and reliability in response to escalating climate events. To discover more about ATCO's proactive measures in preparing for future wildfire risks, explore ATCO's Proactive Approach to Mitigating Wildfire Risks in 2024.