Do not shoot birds on power lines

Firefly Fiber Broadband, a subsidiary of Central Virginia Electric Cooperative, is working to protect its fiber optic lines from “unlawful destruction” as dove hunting season begins.

The internet service provider, which provides broadband connections to homes via a fiber-optic network in more than a dozen communities, including Amherst and Nelson counties, is urging hunters not to shoot birds sitting on power lines.

“Shooting at power lines is a federal offense and can cause costly damage to power and fiber optic infrastructure,” Firefly said in a press release. “Last Labor Day, Firefly’s fiber optic cable was damaged by birdshot in six locations, resulting in internet and phone outages for thousands of customers and a large bill for Firefly.”

Firefly, which recently celebrated its sixth year of operation and continues to expand its fiber optic network, said its network has grown to over 30,000 customers and is adding 200 to 250 new connections each week.

“Fiber optic cables are being laid alongside overhead power lines at a rapid pace to provide world-class broadband services to the residents of Central Virginia,” the press release said. “The fiber optics used to transmit the Internet are protected by glass tubes that can shatter upon impact, disrupting Internet and phone services.”

Gary Wood, president and CEO of Firefly, said fiber damage during pigeon season is a “new phenomenon.”

“The landscape has changed in recent years and now there are fiber optic cables directly under power lines that are vulnerable to birdshot,” Wood said. “Firefly wants to educate our local hunters about this change and spread the word about the damage that shooting at power and fiber optic lines can cause.”

In a separate press release on Sept. 6, Firefly Fiber Broadband announced that it had experienced infrastructure damage during the opening of dove hunting season on Sept. 2. The costly damage resulted in internet and phone outages in Appomattox, Buckingham and Cumberland counties, the press release said.

“The damage caused by birdshot to our fiber optic network reminds us of the ongoing challenges we face,” said Melissa Gay, Firefly’s director of communications and customer service, in a statement. “However, I firmly believe that with our collective resilience and determination, we can turn this setback into an opportunity for education and growth.”

As the dove hunting season continues in sections through January, Firefly urges the community to share their request with others, especially hunters.