With warming temperatures approaching, residents will be spending more time outside, with a number working on their landscaping. For some in the more rural areas, this includes burning ditches to get rid of weeds and brush.

Unfortunately, if the fire isn’t monitored closely, it results in utility poles being burned and damaged beyond repair.

LaGrange County REMC lineworkers are often called out to replace poles because they are heavily damaged by fire, creating an unsafe situation for nearby residents and the members who rely on the cooperative’s power supply.

Along with ensuring residents’ safety, each pole replacement means thousands of dollars spent to fix the issue. The cost of the pole and the hours of labor from a crew of lineworkers adds up quickly, with the person responsible for the damage carrying much of the monetary load.

If affected poles aren’t reported in a timely manner, the pole has the potential to fall over in the future, causing a safety hazard for nearby residents and a disruption in the co-op’s power distribution.

The cooperative asks residents to help by:

• Closely monitoring your burn and being prepared to stomp out or quench the flames, if necessary.

• Taking the time to remind neighbors who are burning that they have a responsibility to themselves and their neighbors to do so safely.

• Watching out for signs that something is wrong with a pole. If it’s leaning or has burn marks near its base, do not hesitate to call the LaGrange County REMC office at 877-463-7165 so we can inspect the issue.