MERCED, Calif. – The Wildfire Safety Advisory Board (Board) today adopted its annual recommendations for the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety’s (Energy Safety) Wildfire Mitigation Plan (WMP) requirements.
During its regular business meeting in Merced, the Board adopted nine recommendations that include requiring investor-owned utilities to test and compare multiple wildfire spread models, report results using the correct number of significant figures, and measure WMP effectiveness by using the number of fires started. Board members and staff developed the recommendations through interviews with experts, reviewing research, and by analyzing the most effective options.
The Board published draft recommendations for public comment on April 22 and responded to the comments it received in the adopted recommendations.
The Board provides annual recommendations, as required by statute (PUC 8389), for Energy Safety’s consideration on requirements for WMPs, performance metrics, and its safety culture assessment process. The Board reviews WMPs submitted by publicly owned utilities and provides comments and advisory opinions to improve wildfire mitigation efforts. The Board also serves as an additional forum for the public to provide input on wildfire safety activities.