As East Kootenay residents prepare for fall and winter weather, BC Hydro is warning that drought, prolonged heat and wildfire damage from the summer could increase the risk of power outages.
The utility’s province-wide report, The new reality: Emergency season is year-round, says dry conditions can weaken trees and root systems, while wildfire-damaged trees may remain standing until high winds, heavy rain or snow cause them to fall.
Trees and vegetation are the leading cause of storm-related outages in B.C., the utility said. Wildfire-affected areas can also face a greater risk of flooding, erosion and landslides when heavy rain returns.
The report said 22 wildfires remained active across the province while drought conditions persisted in many areas. Forecasters were also monitoring the potential development of a “super” El Niño, which could bring warmer temperatures, continued drought concerns and more weather volatility.
“There isn’t always a clean break between wildfire season and storm season anymore,” said Whitney Deane, BC Hydro spokesperson. “What happens during a hot, dry summer can leave its mark for months. Trees weakened by drought or wildfire may not fail until the first major windstorm arrives, which is why we’re increasingly thinking about preparedness as a year-round effort.”
BC Hydro said crews replaced 1,265 power poles and 110 transformers while restoring infrastructure damaged during the 2026 wildfire season. Many of those crews are now moving directly into storm preparation.
The utility said it has tripled annual vegetation-management spending over the past six years to about $150 million. The work includes identifying and removing hazardous trees and vegetation near power lines.
BC Hydro has also expanded its use of weather forecasting and outage-prediction tools to identify areas at elevated risk before storms arrive, while continuing to invest in infrastructure intended to withstand more frequent extreme weather.
For East Kootenay households, the report’s preparedness advice includes maintaining a 72-hour emergency kit and creating a household emergency plan before severe weather arrives.
Customers can monitor outage information through BC Hydro’s mobile app or at bchydro.com/outages.
BC Hydro advises people to stay at least 10 metres away from downed, damaged or low-hanging power lines and call 911 to report them.
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