SDG&E to Replace Wooden Poles Between Santa Ysabel, Ramona

San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) will replace wooden poles with fire-resistant steel ones next year between Santa Ysabel and Ramona, Ramona Municipal Water District announced last week.

The current poles are deemed a fire hazard, especially in the backcountry. Back in 2007, SDG&E's wooden poles that energize the Poway Pump Station were burned down, resulting in the loss of power at the station. Water was not available to Ramona for multiple days.

The company plans to replace wooden poles that run along a 14-mile stretch between Santa Ysabel and Ramona with steel ones, which SDG&E says will "help improve the reliability and integrity of our electric system."

The new poles are also said to reduce costs and environmental impacts for future maintenance activities.

"This will help harden the community," RMWD General Manager David Barnum said. "It's good for Ramona."

Water board vice president Joe Zenovic said he thought the new poles would be helpful in case of another fire.

"We applaud SDG&E for their efforts," Zenovic said. "It's good for the community.

The new poles will be 15-35 feet taller than the existing wooden poles, and 10-40 inches more in diameter. 

Construction for the steel poles will begin in the first quarter of 2014, SDG&E said, and is expected to last about eight months. Planned outages may occur for safety purposes during this time.