Frequently Asked Questions About Tree Clearance in High-Risk Fire Areas
In high-risk fire areas, trees and vegetation must now be kept to a minimum of 4 feet away from BWP’s power lines year-round. Here are answers to common questions about these requirements.
1. How do I know if I am in a high-risk fire area?
Burbank’s high-risk fire area is shown on the map below.
2. Why must trees be kept to a minimum of 4 feet from power lines?
BWP follows the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) General Order 95 (GO 95) as utility best practice (https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/generalorders/).
After several devastating wildfires in California, the CPUC released changes to GO 95 to include increased tree clearance from power lines in high-risk fire areas. Specifically, trees and vegetation must now be kept to a minimum of 4 feet away from power lines year-round. The state recommends clearing trees and vegetation to a minimum of 12 feet to ensure year-round compliance. Proper tree clearance helps reduce the risk of wildfires in our community.
After several devastating wildfires in California, the CPUC released changes to GO 95 to include increased tree clearance from power lines in high-risk fire areas. Specifically, trees and vegetation must now be kept to a minimum of 4 feet away from power lines year-round. The state recommends clearing trees and vegetation to a minimum of 12 feet to ensure year-round compliance. Proper tree clearance helps reduce the risk of wildfires in our community.
3. Who is responsible for ensuring my trees have adequate clearance from power lines?
Ensuring trees or vegetation does not encroach into BWP’s power lines is every homeowner’s responsibility. Proper tree clearance plays a direct role in helping reduce the risk of wildfires in our City. It also directly impacts BWP’s ability to provide you reliable electric service when you need it.
4. Can I perform the tree clearance myself?
While routine tree trimming may be able to be done by homeowners, working around power lines is very dangerous. If your tree is close enough to a power line that it must be cleared to comply with these new standards, please be aware that the work must be performed by a qualified professional that is certified to work around high-voltage electrical lines.
5. What if I have a tree that is difficult to maintain?
We recommend homeowners consider replacing perpetually “problem” trees with smaller, more manageable trees or vegetation.
6. What happens if I am unable to meet these new standards?
Homeowners are given until June 21st of each year to perform this work themselves. In order to protect public safety, BWP will clear any remaining trees or vegetation after this date to ensure proper clearance before each year’s fire season. BWP contracted arborists will not trim trees and vegetation for aesthetic purposes. Work will only be performed with the goal of achieving the required clearance from power lines
BWP uses certified arborists who will use appropriate pruning techniques to ensure the trees are left in a healthy and safe condition where possible. If trees cannot be pruned to maintain the health of the tree, the trees will be removed to protect public safety.
Many trees are in the back or side yards of Burbank homes. BWP contracted arborists will knock on your door to gain access to your yard to perform line clearance work. A door hanger will be left on your door if no one is home. Please follow the instructions provided on the door hanger for the next steps.
BWP contracted arborists will need space on the street to operate their equipment. Depending on the location, street access may be limited while the work is taking place. In the unlikely event that road closure is needed, all affected residents will be notified ahead of time.
BWP uses certified arborists who will use appropriate pruning techniques to ensure the trees are left in a healthy and safe condition where possible. If trees cannot be pruned to maintain the health of the tree, the trees will be removed to protect public safety.
Many trees are in the back or side yards of Burbank homes. BWP contracted arborists will knock on your door to gain access to your yard to perform line clearance work. A door hanger will be left on your door if no one is home. Please follow the instructions provided on the door hanger for the next steps.
BWP contracted arborists will need space on the street to operate their equipment. Depending on the location, street access may be limited while the work is taking place. In the unlikely event that road closure is needed, all affected residents will be notified ahead of time.
7. How can I report a tree that may be a hazard?
If you see a tree that has grown into a power line, please let us know by calling our Electric Service team at (818) 238-3575.
