Strong winds and wildfires caused electricity outages in Whitehorse and many Yukon communities earlier this week.
On Sunday, a fire destroyed transmission structures on the Faro-Carmacks line, according to Yukon Energy spokesperson Janet Patterson. Faro, Carmacks, Elsa and Keno’s power were restored with backup diesel.
Smaller communities such as Drury Creek and Little Salmon did not have electricity until Tuesday, as wildfires near the roadside prevented electrical poles from being replaced until then.
Also on Tuesday, high winds knocked some trees onto the main lines in Mayo. Power was lost between 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
That evening strong winds also knocked down main lines in Riverdale, causing a power outage in parts of Whitehorse, as well as Dawson, Haines Junction and the Minto and Bellekeno mines.
Another fire burning near the Aishihik plant is now moving away from the area, said Patterson.
Yukon Energy continues to monitor the situation and has a sprinkler system in place.
“If you’ve lost power this week, we sincerely apologize, but please understand that our staff is working incredibly hard to deal with everything that Mother Nature has sent our way,” states a blog post by Patterson.
(Krystle Alarcon)