Spotlight on Fire Restoration: A Look Back at the Carr Fire

March 8, 2019
Actively burning fires took out WAPA's infrastructure during the Carr Fire last summer.

Flames spread through six of Western Area Power Administration's (WAPA's) substations, damaging 15 transmission lines and forcing 13 hydroelectric units to be taken out of service during last summer's Carr Fire. 

As its own workforce focused on rebuilding the infrastructure and restoring power, WAPA also helped other local communities to get the lights back on. Due to the efforts of the linemen, electricians, communication technicians and other employees, WAPA was able to get all of its infrastructure back in service on Aug. 3, 2018. The following photo gallery shows some highlights of both the damage and the restoration. 

About the Author

Amy Fischbach | Amy Fischbach, EUO Contributing Editor

Amy Fischbach is the Field Editor for T&D World magazine and manages the Electric Utility Operations section. She is the host of the Line Life Podcast, which celebrates the grit, courage and inspirational teamwork of the line trade.  She also works on the annual Lineworker Supplement and the Vegetation Management Supplement as well as the Lineman Life and Lineman's Rodeo News enewsletters. Amy also covers events such as the Trees & Utilities conference and the International Lineman's Rodeo. She is the past president of the ASBPE Educational Foundation and ASBPE and earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism from Kansas State University. She can be reached at [email protected]

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of T&D World, create an account today!