YOUR AD HERE »

Liberty Utilities creates wildfire prevention department

Submitted to the Sierra Sun

Customer Appreciation Day

As a measure to thank its customers, Liberty Utilities will host a Customer Appreciation Day.

The event is set for 3-6 p.m. Sept. 27 at the at the South Lake Tahoe Liberty offices, 933 Eloise Ave.

In addition to thanking customers, the event will offer snacks and games, prizes, and opportunities to check out electric vehicles, e-bikes, electricity demonstrations, and a chance to speak with representatives of the local electric utility.

Liberty Utilities has announced the promotion of Eliot Jones from manager, vegetation management to senior manager, wildfire prevention — a new department in response to the need for a dedicated wildfire mitigation team.

According to a news release, Jones, who has been with the utility since 2014, will oversee Liberty Utilities’ wildfire prevention and vegetation management departments, which have grown following the catastrophic Camp, Tubbs, and Woolsey fires.

“Eliot has done a tremendous job directing the vegetation management division, which is the first pillar of our wildfire mitigation efforts,” said Liberty Utilities Vice President of Operations Travis Johnson. “Wildfires have become a serious threat in California, and this newly created department reflects Liberty Utilities’ unwavering commitment to provide safe and reliable electric service to our communities. It’s a critically important role, and Eliot’s experience and knowledge are the perfect combination to lead this new department.”



Liberty Utilities provides electric service to multiple communities in Alpine, El Dorado, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas and Sierra counties, all of which have been designated either “High” or “Very High” Fire Hazard Severity Zones by California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

“The safety of our customers is our top priority, and we believe the creation of this new department is a step in the right direction to safeguard our communities,” the release states. The Wildfire Prevention Department will oversee wildfire mitigation planning and implementation, including collaboration with local fire officials, other utilities, regional partners and the public.



Additionally, the department will monitor weather and forecasts to determine the need of a Public Safety Power Shutoff, a de-energization of the electric grid when and where extreme weather conditions present a heightened wildfire risk.

For additional information about Liberty Utilities or our wildfire mitigation efforts, customers are asked to visit LibertyUtilities.com/wildfiresafety/ or call 1-800-782-2506.


Support Local Journalism

 

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and beyond make the Sierra Sun's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.