September 8, 2022 10:40 a.m.
With a Red Flag Warning going into effect at 12:00 a.m. Friday and area fire restrictions increasing, Douglas Electric Cooperative has moved the protective devices in most of its substations to their most sensitive settings.
Assistant General Manager Phil Bigler said currently the only substations not affected are Scottsburg, Gardiner and Reedsport. Scottsburg will move to its most sensitive setting Thursday afternoon with Gardiner following on Friday afternoon.
Bigler said DEC is not instituting a Public Safety Power Shutoff at this time. However, the change in equipment settings may result in more frequent and longer planned outages. To provide faster response times, DEC will have crew members standing by throughout its service territory to respond as quickly as possible. If conditions are windy or the utility is not able to fully patrol the lines following an outage, lines will not be reenergized until conditions improve.
Bigler said members are being asked to prepare now in case there is an outage in their area. Those who require power for medical devices should go to: