06/20/07 Caribou Hills Fire Threatens Power Line.

Homer Electric Association personnel are keeping a close watch on a fire burning in the Caribou Hills area. The Division of Forestry estimates the fire has burned over 2,500 acres in an area approximately 14 miles east of Ninilchik near Deep Creek.

The fire has reached a high-voltage transmission line that runs from the Bradley Lake hydroelectric plant near Kachemak Bay to Anchorage.  On an overflight Wednesday afternoon, Division of Forestry personnel estimated that about a half-mile section of the power line was in the fire area. It was difficult to assess the damage to the line and structures due to the heavy amount of smoke in the air.

As a precautionary step, HEA de-energized the transmission line on Wednesday afternoon, taking it out of service between the Bradley Lake hydroelectric plant and Soldotna. This was done without disrupting any distribution service to Homer Electric members.

Homer Electric will continue to assist the Division of Forestry in its efforts to contain the Caribou Hills fire.  Once the fire is contained, HEA personnel will inspect the transmission line and assess the damage caused by the fire.  

Joe Gallagher, Public Relations Coordinator -  (907) 283-2324