Idaho Commission Opens Public Comment on Avista Wildfire Plan

Utility must get annual approval for mitigation efforts under state law

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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The Idaho Public Utilities Commission is accepting public comments on a 2026 wildfire mitigation plan submitted by Avista Utilities. The plan outlines steps the electric utility will take to reduce wildfire risk in northern Idaho, as required under the state's Wildfire Standard of Care Act.

Why it matters

Wildfires pose a major threat in the western U.S., and utilities must have approved mitigation plans to avoid liability if a fire leads to litigation. Avista's plan includes risk assessments, fire detection, vegetation management, and public outreach efforts.

The details

Avista's plan includes geographic risk assessments, fire detection equipment, hourly fire-risk modeling, construction strategies aimed at preventing ignition, vegetation management, wildfire preparedness exercises, and public outreach efforts, including notifications related to wildfire-related power outages.

  • The public comment period is open through April 16, 2026.
  • Avista submitted the wildfire mitigation plan for 2026.

The players

Idaho Public Utilities Commission

The state regulatory agency that oversees investor-owned utilities and is accepting public comments on Avista's wildfire mitigation plan.

Avista Utilities

An investor-owned electric utility serving customers in northern Idaho that submitted a 2026 wildfire mitigation plan for regulatory approval.

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What’s next

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission will review public comments and decide whether to approve Avista's 2026 wildfire mitigation plan.

The takeaway

Utilities in fire-prone regions must have robust wildfire prevention and response plans in place, which are subject to state regulatory oversight to protect public safety and avoid liability.