What the Pentagon FORTRESS plan is, where the 90 day figure came from, what is public, and why it is not a household warning for Canada.
- FORTRESS is a Pentagon effort for bases to generate their own power, announced Sept 30.
- The 90 day figure was reported Oct 25 from internal documents that are not public.
- It is about US bases. It is not a civilian blackout forecast.
FORTRESS is the name behind the "90 day blackout" headlines. Here is what has been reported, in plain terms, and what it does and does not mean for people in Canada.
What FORTRESS is
The US Defense Secretary announced FORTRESS in a September 30 speech. The goal is for military bases to be able to generate their own power and keep essential operations running if outside services fail.
Where the 90 days comes from
On October 25, Fox News Digital reported, citing internal documents, that the Pentagon is developing a requirement for every major US base in the continental United States to keep essential operations running for at least 90 days without outside electricity, fuel or water. The documents have not been made public, so the figure comes from press reporting.
Why the Pentagon wants it
A Pentagon spokesperson was reported as saying the military does not want to rely on civilian infrastructure to run national defence. It is described as planning for the possibility of a major conflict, the way a hospital plans for backup power.
What it means in Canada
It is a plan for US bases. We have not found a Canadian government or utility notice telling households to expect a 90 day outage. For the full picture, see our 90 day blackout explainer and the FAQ. For what to do, start with the 72 hour checklist.
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Quick answers
What is the Pentagon FORTRESS plan?
A Pentagon effort, announced Sept 30, for military bases to generate their own power and keep running if outside services fail.
Is FORTRESS a warning for civilians?
No. It is about US military bases. Canadian household guidance has not changed.
Where did the 90 days come from?
From a Fox News Digital report on Oct 25 citing internal documents that are not public.