Approximately 38,000 properties across Western Australia were left without electricity over the weekend after extreme weather conditions and dozens of pole-top fires affected Western Power’s network.
“Western Power crews are working as quickly and as safely as possible to make hazards safe and are assessing poles for replacement,” the company said in a statement.
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“The priority is attending to safety hazards before commencing any repairs and restoration. Following patrols to ensure it is safe to do so, teams will work to isolate damaged assets and restore power to customers where possible.”
Western Power executive asset operations Zane Christmas said work was continually underway to minimise the risk of pole-top fires across the network to increase resilience.
“We appreciate the inconvenience and frustration outages can cause. Please be assured we are working as quickly as possible to safely restore power to customers,” he said.
“Pole-top fires can occur during light drizzling rain or misty damp conditions when a combination of dust and pollution builds up to create paths or ‘tracks’ on the insulators. This tracking electricity can heat poles to a point where they smoulder and burn.
“Our network maintenance programs are constantly improving the way our assets are managed, including the 860,000 poles in the network. We have a comprehensive poles and wires maintenance program and a preventative program which includes siliconing and washing, insulator replacements, managing trees and vegetation near wires, and high-pressure cleaning of insulators.
“This is particularly helpful in reducing the likelihood of pole-top fires in farming and coastal areas where farming and salt pollution can build up.”
Christmas said mitigation treatments were prioritised based on risk.
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“We give priority to areas of increased risk such as those in extreme and high bushfire risk areas,” he said.
If you see a fallen power line or any other damage, stay at least eight metres away and contact Western Power on the emergency number 13 13 51 so that emergency response crews can attend the hazard to make the area safe.
