Seattle City Light crews will be trimming trees close to power lines in Burien and SeaTac this fall.

City Light officials are concerned because many trees have grown into power lines.

The trimming to maintain a 10-foot clearance around power lines will increase safety and reduce the likelihood of power outages, the agency noted last week.

Trees near power lines will be trimmed in the area surrounding 24th Avenue South between Interstate 5 and Sea-Tac International Airport, and west of the airport from State Route 518 in a southwestern direction to Sylvester Road Southwest.

When trees come into contact with power lines they pose several problems. The tree can short-circuit the line, causing an outage. If the line is knocked down, it becomes a safety hazard. And in dry weather, contact with power lines can set the tree on fire.

To protect the public and provide reliable service, City Light works to maintain a 10-foot clearance around its power lines. When cutting is necessary, the utility notifies property owners with door-to-door visits. If no one is home, a note is hung on the door explaining the work that is to be done and a phone number to call with any questions.

If a tree has grown into power lines, the utility can either cut it back or remove the tree. All trimming is done under the guidance of an arborist to protect the health of the tree. If a tree is removed, the utility will grind the stump and provide a replacement tree.

For more information, call 206-684-3000 or visit www.ci.seattle.wa.us/light/Neighborhoods/nh4_trtr.htm.