Over the years of many PLs, and many poles, and shorts, separation was the favored method. We usually split the affected circuit, or disconnected each pole at the handhole. That eliminated an underground issue. If you have concerns about energizing the circuit, you may think about putting a temporary in-line fuse on the load side of the cb.
Underground issues were attaceked by the pole to pole disconnects.
BTW, the above works well with two people minimum, and radios.
After solving whatever issue(s), I suggested in-line fuses in each pole to eliminate the multiple poles being 'out'.
