BC Hydro crews rebuild power line destroyed by wildfire
VANCOUVER: BC Hydro crews have rebuilt and re-energized a section of a power line that was lost to the Nohomin Creek wildfire near Lytton in mid-July.
The fire burned down 60 power poles; damaged power lines, three transformer banks and two single transformers; and interrupted power service to 112 customers in the area. BC Hydro was able to reconfigure the system and restore power to 39 customers the day the fire started, and then an additional 39 customers on July 24.
At the height of repair efforts, about 30 BC Hydro personnel were working on rebuilding the line at one time, including crews from Lillooet, Cache Creek, Kamloops, Vernon and Salmon Arm.
After receiving clearance from the BC Wildfire Service late last week, BC Hydro’s vegetation management experts were required to assess the area that was damaged by the wildfire and identify and remove dangerous trees before construction activities could begin.
Crews began construction last Saturday but mobilizing equipment and material to the site proved to be challenging due to road access issues. Helicopter support was required to bring power poles to the site. This week, restoration efforts were complicated by the heat wave as extra measures were required to protect the health and safety of crews working outside.
Electricity service has now been restored to all customers, except in cases where structures were lost or significantly damaged. BC Hydro will continue to work with those customers and reconnect service when the customers are ready.
Contact:
BC Hydro Media Relations
e. media@bchydro.com
p. 604 928 6468