BC Hydro crews have commenced restoration efforts in areas impacted by wildfires, while also evaluating the extent of damage caused by the Big Bar and Brunswick wildfire complexes.
According to the provincial utility, approximately 1,100 customers have faced power outages in the Big Bar Complex region. Initial assessments have revealed damage to around 230 distribution poles and 200 transmission poles.
Communities such as Clinton, 70 Mile House, sections of the Cache Creek area, Big Bar Lake, the Highway 97 stretch between 70 Mile House and Clinton, and Loon Lake south of Clinton have been affected.
BC Hydro has highlighted that ongoing wildfire activity is impeding access to certain locations, hindering crews from conducting a comprehensive assessment of the electrical infrastructure. The utility has cautioned that further damage might be uncovered as the fires persist.
Restoring power to the Clinton area is anticipated to require up to two weeks based on current projections.
Simultaneously, BC Hydro is gearing up to kick off restoration work on July 30 and 31 in regions impacted by the Brunswick Wildfire Complex. Approximately 100 customers in Boston Bar, Hell’s Gate, China Bar, North Bend, and neighboring areas are still without electricity.
The utility has outlined that the repair tasks involve the replacement of 34 damaged transmission poles and five distribution poles.
BC Hydro stated, “As crews gain access to additional infrastructure, restoration timelines will become clearer.”