The updated plans also establish training, documentation and annual reporting requirements, along with coordination with CAL FIRE and the Butte County Fire Safe Council. Designed by Magnific

BIGGS, CA (MPG) – The Biggs City Council approved updated wildfire prevention measures Oct. 13 aimed at reducing the risk of fires caused by the city's electrical system, including new standards for vegetation management, inspections and maintenance.

The council adopted the city's 2026 Wildfire Mitigation Plan and a companion Vegetation Management Plan, which establish procedures for maintaining safe distances between trees, shrubs and electrical equipment.

City Administrator Nicolas Gauthier said the updates were required under state law and that the city's previous plan had received a favorable review.

“The state did find our last year's plan was fully compliant and had no comments of improvement,” Gauthier said.

The plans focus on preventing electrical equipment from starting wildfires, improving the reliability of the city's power system and establishing procedures for responding to dangerous weather conditions.

Although Biggs is outside the state's designated high-fire-threat districts, the city must maintain prevention measures as a publicly owned electrical utility.

During the meeting, Councilmember Anita Wilks questioned whether the city's inspection program included vegetation growing beneath power lines, particularly shrubs and grass that could ignite if an electrical line fell.

Gauthier explained that the plans establish specific clearance requirements around electrical equipment rather than requiring the removal of all vegetation beneath power lines.

“The goal is not let the line fall in the first place,” Gauthier said.

He explained that removing all vegetation beneath the lines would also have a detrimental effect on landscaping throughout the city.

Wilks continued to express concern about potentially hazardous vegetation beneath transmission lines and asked whether the city-maintained inspection schedules and records.

Gauthier acknowledged that a formal inspection log had not yet been established, although annual tree inspections had been completed and trimming was nearing completion.

He said he was developing written procedures to ensure inspections and maintenance continue consistently, including when personnel changes occur.

The updated plans also establish training, documentation and annual reporting requirements, along with coordination with CAL FIRE and the Butte County Fire Safe Council, officials said.

An independent auditor will review the city's wildfire prevention and vegetation management programs as required by state law.

Gauthier said costs associated with carrying out the plan's provisions are included in the city's electric utility budget.

The plans will be submitted to the Wildfire Safety Advisory Board through the Northern California Power Agency.