NV Energy crews clear power lines along Jacks Valley Road north of Genoa before re-energizing them after a public safety outage during the previous day's red flag warning.
Photo by Kurt Hildebrand.
Sunday marks four years since the Nov. 17, 2020, Mountain View Fire killed Eastern Sierra poet Sallie Joseph.
A lawsuit against Liberty Utilities claims the fire, which was the largest and most destructive in Mono County history, was caused by faulty power infrastructure. Liberty settled on the first day of trial, according to an attorney for the plaintiffs.
One of the consequences of several fires blamed on failures of electrical lines, including the Paradise and Dixie fires, is that regional power providers have begun public safety outages to prevent wildfires.
With the arrival of the first winter storm fronts, efforts to prevent wildfires will include turning off electricity to breezier neighborhoods along the Sierra Front.
Only the second public safety outage to occur along the Sierra Front in Douglas County was cleared on Thursday morning.
NV Energy issued notices that winds were likely to bring outages to the area between Genoa and Clear Creek for Monday and Wednesday. Monday’s watch ended up being canceled that afternoon
A public safety outage resulted in electricity being shut off to 33 Carson Valley customers on Wednesday morning.
NV Energy said around 730 of its customers were affected across Western Nevada starting at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, mostly in Reno.
Once the power was out, it was going to be Thursday morning before it was restored.
While the power company said a warming center was set up at the Douglas County Community & Senior Center, there is no report anyone availed themselves of that or lodging as a result of the outage. The last public safety outage was Sept. 27, 2021.
Visit nvenergy.com/PSOM for additional information.
