High winds bedevil Valley

High winds knocked down power poles and interfered with firefighters ability to fight a house fire along the base of the Sierra today.

A weather watcher reported a gust of 77 mph at 6:01 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.

High winds flattened at least four power poles near Centerville Lane and Foothill Road.

Power officials expect the power to be out in the area south Centerville through the day.

"The winds are wreaking havoc on the power lines," NVEnergy spokesman Karl Walquist said.

Walquist didn't have a count on the number of customers out of power, but he said the poles snapping affected Kingsbury, Foothill Road, Sierra Shadows Lane, Mottsville Lane and other areas.

High winds along the foothills complicated firefighters' efforts to extinquish a fire in a home above Emmigrant Trail.

Smoke was pouring from a large green home on Hawkins Peak Road.

Units from Woodfords and Markleeville responded from Alpine County. Genoa and Sheridan Acres firefighters brought water trucks to help extinquish the blaze.

High winds knocked over trees on the west side of the Valley.

The National Weather Service has extended a high wind advisory until 1 p.m. today. The chance for snow showers will drop off shortly after the winds do.