Active fires slowing power restoration throughout region

PORTLAND, Ore. — Pacific Power is at work throughout Oregon and Northern California as part of a unified regional response to the historically devastating fires that are still raging in the area.

As of noon Friday, approximately 12,500 Pacific Power customers remain without power in the region, which is down from 60,000 earlier in the week. Working overnight, crews were able to restore approximately 10,000 customers in the Lincoln City area.

Current information from fire authorities indicates a number of customers may remain without power for an extended period in some locations until active fires have been contained and our crews are allowed access to begin restoration.

“We know the level of hardship is already high in our communities where losses of homes and businesses are widespread and we know fatalities are now being reported as well,” said David Lucas, Pacific Power’s vice president of operations. “We are doing all that we can right now to protect our customers and communities. In many instances, power is turned off to areas to allow firefighters to continue to do their work safely. In other areas, it is not yet safe for us to assess damage and start repairs.”

The hardest hit areas include:

  • Jackson and Siskiyou: 9,652 customers out
  • Lincoln County: 1,880 customers out
  • Marion and Linn Counties: 326 customers out

Forecasts indicate weather will remain favorable today and through the weekend for most locations with rain possible by Monday. When able to go forward fully, Pacific Power is ready to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

More than 340 personnel are deployed throughout the hardest hit areas. They are doing the repair work that they can outside of active fire areas. Pacific Power is using helicopters to survey damage in advance of being able to enter areas.

The company is working with the Red Cross and local agencies to directly aid people in need.

How to be ready, how to get help

Our customer care agents are helping our customers through this incredibly difficult time. They can be reached 24/7 at 1-888-221-7070.

Customers should be prepared for prolonged power outages by having on hand adequate food, water and back-up batteries. They are also encouraged to follow any local evacuation orders and look out for neighbors.

Support is available for those in wildfire-affected areas at the following community shelter locations:

Oregon:

  • Josephine County Fairgrounds – 1451 Fairgrounds Rd, Grants Pass
  • Jackson County Expo – 1 Peninger Rd, Central Point
  • Oregon State Fairgrounds – 2330 17th St. NE, Salem
  • Klamath County Fair Grounds – 3531 S 6th St, Klamath Falls
  • Kla-Mo-Ya Casino – 34333 US-97, Chiloquin
  • Linn County Fairgrounds – 3700 Knox Butte Rd E, Albany
  • Benton County Fairgrounds – 110 SW 53rd St, Corvallis
  • Deschutes County Fairgrounds – 3800 SW Airport Way, Redmond
  • Douglas County Fairgrounds – 2110 Frear St., Roseburg
  • Polk County Fairgrounds – 520 S Pacific Hwy W, Rickreall
  • Newport Recreation Center – 225 SE Avery St, Newport

Northern California:

  • Kahtishraam Wellness Center – 1403 Kahtishraam, Yreka
  • Siskiyou County Fairgrounds (taking large animals) – 1712 Fairlane Rd, Yreka