Manager’s Message – August 2023

Summer is in full swing, bringing lazy days at the lake, outdoor activities and backyard barbecues.

To celebrate the summer season with our members, Northern Lights, Inc. (NLI) is having an ice cream social Monday, August 28, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Samuels Store, 486260 Highway 95, Sandpoint. Everyone is invited to enjoy hot dogs and ice cream and learn about fire safety and meet your board of directors and NLI employees.

Wildfire Mitigation Efforts

In recent years, wildfires have emerged as a growing public safety concern throughout the West. Although wildfires have many causes—from lightning to unattended campfire sparks—electric utilities are doing their part to help keep communities safe.

Due to the extreme fire danger in our region, the Bonneville Power Administration, our generation and transmission provider, has changed how it operates during red- flag weather warnings. When specific weather conditions exist—high winds, high temperatures and low humidity, for example—BPA may choose to temporarily shut off power to reduce the chance of the power lines starting fires.

If BPA does enact Public Safety Power Shutoffs in our area, NLI members in the Priest River and Priest Lake areas will be affected. Other areas may briefly be affected during switching operations. Members will be notified, if possible. We will do everything we can to restore power as quickly as possible.

With our dry conditions, keeping vegetation away from the power lines continues to be a priority for NLI. We are constantly trimming trees and removing vegetation in our utility easements to remove fuel for fires and also keep trees and limbs from coming into contact with our lines to reduce fire risk.

NLI continues to work closely with BPA to monitor weather conditions and ensure we are taking all possible precautions to avoid wildfire while maintaining our commitment to provide reliable electricity.

Enjoy the August weather and be safe. When we work together, we can keep the lights on and reduce our fire danger.

Annie Terracciano
General Manager