SDG&E DRAWS PRAISE FOR SWIFT RESPONSE TO OUTAGES DURING FIRE

By Miriam Raftery

June 25, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – During the Border Fire, SDG&E rapidly mobilized resources that have been substantially beefed up since prior firestorms—getting electricity back on swiftly in burned-out communities sweltering in triple-digit heat.  For many rural residents,electricity also powers wells that provide water in and in some cases, equipment burned. 

But as of this morning, power has been fully restored in all areas impacted by the fire,according to SDG&E’s outage map.

“The SDG&E crews have been amazing. They have not stopped since the fire swept through,” Potrero resident Jan Hedlun writes. “They have a camp up next to the Potrero Community Church and are working, working, working. The rate of speed they took to get most of us hooked up is wondrous. I watched them using a helicopter to move the poles over the ridge. Well coordinated crews.”

The fire melted the meter box on a well at the property where Hedlun lives, leaving residents without water as well as power.  After her landlord brought a new meter for the well, she says, “an SDG&E crew connected it for him with all new wiring.”

Hedlun adds she was delighted upon returning home from visiting a neighbor.”I  When I got home from Iris' place they were leaving and I walked in the house and turned on the faucet I had running water.”