A transmission pole north of Wasa caught fire on Friday morning, August 7, at about 4:50 a.m. The cause of the fire is unknown.

A small grass fire was ignited nearby and the BC Wildfire Service attended and put out the fire at 6 a.m.

Explaining it’s a major transmission corridor, BC Hydro said the fire knocked out power to customers in Wasa, TaTa Creek, Skookumchuck, Canal Flats and Fairmont Hot Springs; in total about 2,500 customers.

Crews first conducted switching to restore as many customers as possible. Customers in Fairmont and Canal Flats were restored about 7 a.m., the Regional District of East Kootenay shared this afternoon on social media.

“The remaining customers in Wasa, Skookumchuck and TaTa Creek will be restored once we’ve replaced the burnt pole,” BC Hydro reported, estimating that work should be done about 2 p.m.

There are about 850 customers who were without power.

Regional District of East Kootenay image

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