August 6, 2024
Tamir Scheinok

A recent fire, captured by the Alert California Wildfire Camera hosted by Further Reach, highlights the importance of reliable infrastructure. The Grange Fire disrupted a major traffic route, knocked out the power grid, halted radio broadcasts, and cut off the Internet as far as Fort Bragg, making it harder for some people to get vital evacuation information.

The Problem with Utility Poles

Infrastructure on utility poles is not reliable, especially in rural areas. Suspended cables are vulnerable to fires, falling trees, vehicles hitting poles, and earthquakes. While utility poles are convenient for companies, they are the weakest link in rural communications.

The Role of Wireless Networks

In contrast, Further Reach’s wireless service proved to be far more reliable. Our network, even those parts located directly in the fire zone, remained fully operational before, during, and after the fire, providing crucial connectivity to the community.

• Wildfire Detection: One of our wildfire cameras in Anderson Valley spotted the fire within minutes of it starting. This allowed Cal Fire to quickly respond, which is crucial in controlling wildfires.

• Restoring Internet Service: The fire damaged a fiber optic cable feeding AT&T, Comcast, and MCN in Fort Bragg. We helped MCN restore their customers’ Internet within ninety minutes using our network. We offer backup connectivity to neighboring Internet providers at no cost during outages.

• Evacuation Information: With evacuation orders in place, the Internet became the primary source of information about the fire’s progress. The community relied on it to decide if and when to evacuate.

Our Commitment to Reliability

Keeping our subscribers online during challenging conditions is our top priority. We understand how critical infrastructure reliability is, especially when utility services are prone to failure during fires, storms, and power shutdowns.

Want to Learn More?

Contact us at 707-278-8899 or connect@furtherreach.net. Visit our website to explore our plans and sign up for a free site evaluation at furtherreach.net/check-availability/.

#connectLocal


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