Property owners have been urged to take extra precautions conducting controlled burns near electricity networks ahead of the coming fire season.
Area Manager of Ergon Energy Network, Brian Dingle said landholders needed to be aware of the dangers associated with power poles being damaged or destroyed by fire.
“We’ve had significant damage in areas right across regional Queensland in the past two fire seasons,” Mr Dingle said.
“Fires in Central Queensland, Wide Bay and Bundaberg, the Sunshine Coast, South Western Queensland and around Toowoomba all impacted our customers and the poles and wires that supply them with power — some for up to a week.”
He said if anyone saw a fire close to power poles or if a pole was on fire, they should call Triple Zero.
“Just as concerning is a pole that is only partially burnt because it could be significantly weakened and fail at a later date, bringing down high-voltage wires,” Mr Dingle said.
He also urged landholders to be aware of their surroundings and remain vigilant to keep themselves and their property safe while conducting any bushfire mitigation work.
“We’re asking property owners to trim or clear any long grass, foliage and rubbish within a three-metre radius of their poles and closely monitor any controlled burns they carry out,” Mr Dingle said.
