Wildfires in B.C. damage hundreds of power poles and cause flickering lights

B.C. Hydro says wildfires in southern British Columbia have damaged hundreds of power poles and some transmission equipment, though the province’s main grid is still operating. The Pear Lake fire near Clinton has burned more than 230 power poles and cut electricity to about 1,100 customers. In the Boston Bar area, the Brunswick fire complex has damaged 34 transmission poles and left around 100 customers without power. B.C. Hydro said smoke, ash and soot on transmission lines have been causing brief outages that people across the province may notice as flickering lights. The utility said its major 500 kV transformer systems and primary transmission corridors remain in service, including the lines that supply power to much of British Columbia. Crews cannot begin most replacement work until wildfire conditions ease and access to the affected areas is safe. Fire activity remained significant around Clinton and Boston Bar as of Wednesday evening.