Media Contact:
Karl Walquist (775) 834-3891

* Since gaining access to the Angora Fire burn area Wednesday evening, 69 of 71 damaged power poles and 25 of 28 electric transformers have been replaced.  Power has been restored to all but 14 homes in the burn area, which are expected to be back in service late today.

* As of late Friday, June 29, about 100 serviceable customers in the blackened area along North Upper Truckee River Road and customers living in the Tahoe Paradise and Tahoe Mountain areas were without service due to the fire.

* Homes and businesses outside the burn area, but within previously evacuated areas had their power restored on Thursday, June 28.

* Approximately 15,000 feet of electric wire destroyed by the fire has been replaced.

* Sierra Pacific Power augmented its normal South Tahoe line crew and repair personnel by five-fold in order to make quick progress in restoring power to the area. Assistance was provided by crews from North Lake Tahoe, Carson City and Reno. 

* Approximately two dozen pieces of equipment were sent from other Sierra Pacific locations to aid in the work. These include bucket trucks, backhoes and dump trucks.

* Because of the widespread damage caused by the fire, tree trimming crews are expected to be in the burn area for weeks to remove thousands of dead and dying trees that are hazardous to the operation of the electric distribution system.