We can prevent power-line fires

Re “Downed power lines: a fiery culprit only money can stop,” Nov. 4

This article mentions one way to stop fires caused by downed power lines -- by burying the lines at enormous expense. An alternative solution would be to instantly cut power to the downed line before it hits the ground.

The load would be monitored on any transmission line that is crossing a brush area and, on sensing a sudden drop caused by a broken line or a sudden surge caused by lines touching, the line could be shut down. This electronic approach would still require that brush be cleared from the vicinity of the lines, but the costs of this technology and line maintenance are small compared to burying the lines or fighting fires.

Robert Silverman

Sherman Oaks

A far less costly option than burying power lines is to insulate the wires. This would not reduce the incidence of downed power lines but would drastically reduce the probability of igniting fires. The cost of adding insulation during the manufacture of new wires, or tapewrapping existing transmission lines, would be trivial compared to the cost of burying them.

Bob Greene

Villa Park

Of course it will cost money to fix the problem, something the utilities don’t like to hear because fixing the problem will cut into their profits. Every year, however, we are faced with more devastating fires, many of which are caused by downed power lines. The Public Utilities Commission should have required the problem be fixed 50 years ago. How many have to die, how many homes and acres of natural habitat lost, just because fixing the problem is not seen as profitable in the short term?

Joanna Clark

San Juan Capistrano