JACKSON, Mich., March 24, 2025 — Consumers Energy is proactively safeguarding communities at risk as Michigan’s wildfire season begins in March, by launching a .
The new website emphasizes vital strategies from the wildfire risk mitigation plan, which was initiated in 2024 and is the first of its kind in the Midwest. This plan aims to enhance service reliability for customers while reinforcing and shielding the grid from damaging wildfires. As an easily accessible source, the website offers details regarding wildfire risks, Consumers Energy’s preventative actions, and emergency readiness procedures.
“Our main concern is protecting Michigan communities through grid improvements and wildfire risk reduction,” stated Greg Salisbury, Consumers Energy’s vice president of electric distribution engineering. “This website equips our customers with essential information and preparation tools, while also demonstrating the extensive measures we are implementing before, during, and after wildfires in our service area.”
Michigan sees about 10,000 to 12,000 wildfires annually, most of which are minor. However, even small fires can devastate homes and properties, with around 100 homes being lost or damaged each year. Historically, Michigan has had serious wildfire problems, including three of the country’s deadliest fires. Over the last 12 years, the Lower Peninsula has recorded 2,537 wildfires, impacting over 22,861 acres.
Consumers Energy is expanding on the strategies detailed in its wildfire mitigation plan as changing weather patterns increase the frequency and intensity of wildfires. These enhancements will improve situational awareness, operational protocols, system resilience, and vegetation control, thereby decreasing the chances of wildfire ignition. Key initiatives include:
- Giving priority to clearing lines in high-risk zones to minimize contact between vegetation and power lines.
- Improving monitoring using weather data and Red Flag Warnings.
- Performing wildfire risk assessments to modify field operations and recloser settings.
“Consumers Energy is dedicated to providing reliable energy while ensuring the safety of our communities and the environment,” said Sara Stewart, Senior Manager of Forestry at Consumers Energy. “Our enhanced vegetation management efforts, such as more frequent line clearing, are essential for lowering wildfire risks and maintaining community safety.”
By investing in wildfire mitigation strategies and providing resources for customers, Consumers Energy seeks to reinforce Michigan’s electric grid. These investments will also expand upon last year’s efforts which significantly improved customer power outage durations by more than .
Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest energy provider, supplies natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents across all 68 counties in the Lower Peninsula. Consumers Energy considers keeping the power on for its customers as its primary duty. We are dedicated to providing dependable, clean, and cost-effective energy to our customers around the clock.
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