The recent Bradley Creek wildfire in British Columbia has left a trail of destruction, impacting BC Hydro infrastructure and knocking out power for thousands of customers in regions such as Westside Road, Vernon, and Spallumcheen.
Initially, around 3,500 customers were without power due to the wildfire, but BC Hydro has been working diligently to restore electricity. By Sunday, power had been reinstated in some areas, reducing the number of affected customers to about 1,700.
BC Hydro has reported that over 150 pieces of infrastructure were damaged by the wildfire. However, restoration efforts are on hold until clearance is granted by the BC Wildfire Service for crews to access the affected areas.
The utility is collaborating closely with the BC Wildfire Service to prioritize the safety of firefighters and crew members working in the region. BC Hydro crews have been focusing on the Westside Road corridor, clearing damaged electrical equipment and providing support to wildfire response teams. Assessments are ongoing to determine the full extent of the damage caused by the fire.
More than 100 distribution structures, including power poles and related equipment, have been impacted by the wildfire, with the possibility of additional damage emerging as crews gain access to more areas.
Given the scale of the repairs needed, BC Hydro is advising customers in the Westside Road, Vernon, and Spallumcheen areas to brace for extended outages. The utility emphasized the importance of being prepared for prolonged outages as crews continue their assessments and develop a restoration strategy.
In a positive update, BC Hydro announced that transmission lines affected by wildfire activity in the East Kootenay region were successfully restored around 10 p.m. on Sunday.