Imperial Irrigation District enforces regulation protecting power infrastructure

Imperial Irrigation District wishes to remind the agricultural community that haystacks stored under, or in close proximity to, power lines pose a severe hazard, can damage electrical equipment, cause unnecessary power outages and result in potential liability for the responsible party.

Recent fires involving haystacks throughout Imperial county damaged IID power lines, causing several customers to be without power, serves as a reminder that haystack fires can be dangerous and costly, yet preventable.

To help maintain reliable power service and prevent damage to the district’s energy infrastructure, the IID Board of Directors passed Regulation No. 23, “Clearance Requirements for Power Line Corridors,” which prohibits the stacking of hay and other materials near power equipment. California Public Utilities Commission General Order 95, Rule 37 specifies the minimum allowable clearances of wires above railroads, thoroughfares, buildings or other structures.

In preparation for this summer’s power demand, IID will be enforcing the immediate removal of haystacks or any materials located under, or near, power lines that could jeopardize the district’s power equipment.

IID must enforce the provisions of its regulation to remove threats to the health or safety of the community or to the reliability of the IID energy system. IID prefers that the initiative be a collaborative endeavor, but must use all legal and equitable remedies available to it to ensure safety and reliability. IID appreciates your cooperation.

Keep your hay safe and away from power lines

Please protect your assets and yourself from liability. In particular, haystacks can pose an imminent danger as they can catch fire. While there can be many causes (lightning, sparks from working machinery, embers from controlled brushfires, etc.), the leading cause in many rural areas, particularly in hot climates, is self-ignition through spontaneous combustion. Green or damp hay encourages bacteria and fungi to grow and decompose. A series of complex biological and chemical reactions can then cause heat build-up. This can produce flammable gasses which may ignite. In fact, just one damp bale is enough to ignite an entire haystack and if the fire results in damages to IID facilities, the land owner may be liable for thousands of dollars in damages.

Please practice safety

IID encourages safe practices to protect yourself and the district’s thousands of miles of overhead power transmission and distribution lines by following these essential tips when storying hay bales and working around power lines, poles and facilities:

• Store hay outside of IID power-line clearance corridors.
• Ensure hay is fully cured before bailing.
• Keep haystacks to a limited size.
• Store hay bales away from vehicles, machinery and equipment.
• Assume all overhead lines are energized, including service lines that run from poles to buildings.
• Always look for power lines and poles before you begin work and warn fellow workers of any concerns. Use a spotter.
• Avoid parking vehicles with extensions, such as cranes, scissors or cherry pickers, near overhead lines.
• When you move irrigation pipe, ladders and other farm equipment, avoid hitting power lines. Do not raise irrigation pipe into the air.
• When pruning or working in or near trees, be careful to avoid contact with power lines. You may submit a request for IID to de-energize a service line, if needed, to safely complete your project.
• Call Underground Service Alert toll-free, at 8-1-1 or 1-800-422-4133, two workings days before starting a project. Experts will locate electric, gas, telephone, water and sewer lines on or near your project site.