Press release from Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative

Portola, CA, August 15, 2012 –At approximately 3:16 p.m. Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative experienced a system-wide outage due to the Chips fire near Belden, in the Feather River Canyon on Highway 70, disrupting Pacific Gas and Electric’s transmission feed to Plumas-Sierra REC.

PSREC was able to restore power to the majority of its system at approximately 4:30 p.m.

Due to a secondary fire caused by a lightning strike in the Constantia Road area near Doyle, PSREC’s members from Beckwourth to Susanville were without power until approximately 8:10 p.m. when crews were able to re-route power through back up lines, around the lines affected by the Constantia Road fire, to the rest of the system.

The Chips fire continues to threaten transmission lines. PSREC anticipates possible system constraints and further delivery problems. PG&E representatives are working closely with the fire management team, and are prepared to de-energize transmission lines as needed for firefighting efforts.

This situation will continue until the Chips fire no longer poses a threat to the transmission lines serving PSREC. The estimated containment date for the Chips fire is August 31, according to the incident command site at "http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3052/."

We are prepared to switch to our backup power source if necessary. Please conserve as much energy as possible. Should an outage occur or as soon as you see lights flicker, turn off ALL NON-ESSENTIAL LOADS. This will aid us in switching to backup power more quickly.

Plumas-Sierra REC regrets the inconvenience and thanks everyone for your understanding.

If you would like to receive major, system-wide power outage updates via text message, text PSREC to 57682. PSREC encourages members to report all outages to our office at 800-555-2207, and listen to your local radio station for updates.

Plumas-Sierra REC appreciates and thanks PG&E’s personnel for their restoration efforts.

Plumas-Sierra REC would also like to thank NV Energy for their assistance in providing backup service to our members.

For more information on the Chips or Reading Fires, go to our Wildfire Page.