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Manitoba Hydro crews are working to restore electricity in parts of northern Manitoba after wildfires damaged critical power infrastructure.
The utility says more than 1,200 wooden power poles have been damaged or destroyed by wildfires so far this year, along with related equipment such as transformers and power lines. In many areas, the full extent of the damage is only now becoming visible — and some fires are still burning.
An aerial survey on Wednesday revealed about 100 damaged poles along a 75-kilometre stretch of transmission line between Leaf Rapids and South Indian Lake. Some were still on fire, and Manitoba Hydro says the total will likely rise.
Since the start of the wildfire season, crews have repaired or replaced about 500 poles and associated equipment, often working in remote areas with difficult terrain and heavy smoke.
“The scale and duration of this wildfire season are putting enormous strain on many Manitobans, especially those forced from their homes or experiencing power outages,” said Allan Danroth, Manitoba Hydro president and CEO. “Manitoba Hydro is making every effort to maintain and restore power despite very challenging conditions.”
The utility says restoration work only begins once the Manitoba Wildfire Service declares an area safe, and that crew safety is the top priority.
Some damaged lines are in areas with no road access, and smoke or weather can limit helicopter flights. Manitoba Hydro is in talks with utilities in other jurisdictions to bring in more specialized equipment.
About 1,300 customers in five northern communities remain without power. There is no estimate for when electricity will be restored, as crews are still unable to reach some areas where fires are active.
Along with repairs, Manitoba Hydro is stepping up efforts to protect infrastructure from future damage, including clearing vegetation, installing outdoor sprinklers at facilities, and wrapping wooden poles in fire-resistant material.
“So far this year, more than 3,000 poles have been wrapped, in some areas by community members trained and supervised by Manitoba Hydro staff,” Danroth said. “In some cases, fire has approached lines or facilities, and damage was avoided or minimized by these measures.”