In anticipation of widespread infrastructure damage from this week’s Southern California wildfires, Arizona Public Service is mobilizing crews and equipment to assist San Diego Gas & Electric in its restoration efforts.

At the request of San Diego Gas & Electric, APS assembled a team of about 50 employees – including 10 line crews, mechanics and safety personnel – for departure to San Diego yesterday. The APS convoy  included up to 30 trucks and company vehicles.

“Utility companies regularly come together in times of need,” said Tom Friddle, APS manager of distribution operations. “A safe, reliable supply of electricity is vital to any community, and we are prepared to help San Diego Gas & Electric’s customers get back to their regular lifestyle. Our thoughts go out to the people who have been affected by this fire.”

The APS crew will assemble at 6 a.m. Sunday at its Deer Valley Service Center to begin the 350-mile drive to the San Diego area. If conditions and time permit, APS personnel will begin work as early as Sunday afternoon. San Diego Gas & Electric is coordinating the restoration efforts and will assign the APS crews – who work in teams of three or four – to locations as needed. APS expects its employees to be in the area anywhere from one week to three weeks.

“We’ll know more about the damage caused by these wildfires in the coming days,” said Friddle. “But, together with San Diego Gas & Electric employees, we will work quickly and safely to repair the damage caused by the fires.”

This will be the second time in four years APS crews have assisted San Diego Gas & Electric in making system repairs caused by wildfires. Company personnel provided assistance after fires ravaged the area in 2003. In 2004, APS crews traveled across country after Hurricane Jeanne devastated much of Florida.