Forest fires and pole fires are a concern, people are always asking: “why are we still using wood poles for distribution lines?” Historically we used wood poles because wood is a renewable, abundant, strong, and inexpensive material. …engineers have a very good understanding of its material properties and how it will behave in different environments. Darryl Orr, an engineer who works with standards and materials, said, “The wood pole is a naturally a strong material that is easy to modify, climb, treat with pesticides, and is inexpensive relative to the other options available. It is also a renewable resource and naturally sequesters carbon during its development.” …Wood also has advantages during installation and replacement work. “It’s inexpensive and robust allowing for quick reconstruction with minimal equipment and tooling.” …So, while wood is still a best option overall, Manitoba Hydro has tested or is using many of the alternatives to wood poles.