UPDATE APRIL 26: NV Energy reports it has restored all power to residents on Mount Charleston as of 8:34 a.m. after a public safety outage was put in place on Sunday as part of its plan to reduce wildfire risk.
ORIGINAL STORY
NV Energy says that high winds Sunday morning caused an unplanned power outage in the Mount Charleston area.
With sustained high winds of over 60 mph expected to continue through Sunday evening and contribute to extreme fire conditions on the mountain, the outage is expected to last until 10 a.m. Monday.
“We have fire resources patrolling the neighborhoods seeing if there are any issues, we also have law enforcement up here patrolling the neighborhoods,” said Mark Regan, NV Energy Fire Mitigation Specialist.
Based on the forecast, NV Energy says it activated a Public Safety Outage Management (PSOM) event for the Kyle Canyon and Angel Peak PSOM Zones that is impacting 470 customers.
“We have supplies here for them, we have snacks, we have food, we have ice for them, we also have charging kits,” Regan said.
This public safety outage is part of NV Energy’s plan to reduce wildfire risk, as exposed power lines could catch on fire if around trees that are already on fire.
Last summer, NV Energy cut power at the request of firefighters when the Mohagany Fire made its way through Mount Charleston.
RELATED: Retreat on Charleston Peak becomes refuge for residents who lost power due to the Mahogany Fire
That fire was later contained and its believed the cause of the blaze was an illegal campfire.
NV Energy says it has opened a drive-thru customer resource center that will be open until 8 p.m. Sunday and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, or until power is restored, at The Retreat at Charleston Peak, located at 2755 Kyle Canyon Rd.
A backup generator has also been provided to the restaurant at the Mount Charleston Lodge.
