Update: Wildfires in the Central and Southern Interior cause power outages and damage to BC Hydro equipment
VANCOUVER – Wildfires in the Central and Southern Interior continue to cause significant damage to BC Hydro’s electrical infrastructure. BC Hydro is actively working with Emergency Management BC and fire officials to monitor impacted areas and assess damage to its system.
To date, BC Hydro crews have repaired 219 distribution power poles and 35 transmission structures. In the Cache Creek-Loon Lake area, crews are working to replace 12 transmission structures.
Fires in the Williams Lake area have caused damage to three transmission lines. Helicopter patrols took place on Sunday to begin to assess the extent of the damage and repair plans are being developed; however due to fire activity and heavy smoke, crews are awaiting clearance from fire officials to access the area and begin repair work.
Latest assessments show wildfires have caused damage to hundreds of power poles, 47 transmission structures, 114 cross arms, 181 spans of wires and 32 transformers. These numbers are expected to rise as crews gain access to evacuated areas around Williams Lake.
BC Hydro is preparing to respond once clearance is granted, including assembling materials, crews, designers and vegetation specialists that will be needed. Crews brought in from Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland continue to support restoration efforts.
BC Hydro appreciates its customers’ patience as restoration work continues and will continue to provide updated estimates for power restoration on bchydro.com/outages.
Contact:
BC Hydro Media Relations
p. 604 928 6468