Power outage affected 10,000 in Valley

A power pole fire early Sunday morning resulted in a power outage that affected more than 10,000 NV Energy customers in Douglas County.

The outage knocked out power to the Pinenut substation that serves 7,475 custormers in the Gardnerville Ranchos, Gardnerville, along Highway 88 south to Alpine County and along Highway 395 as far as Holbrook Junction, according to power company spokesman Karl Walquist.

The outage also affected 2,750 customers in Minden and Gardnerville.

Power went out around 1:30 a.m. Walquist said power was restored in town at about 6 a.m. Sunday.

Customers served by the Pinenut Substation did not have full service restored until 4:45 p.m.

Walquist said some customers in the Ranchos and in Alpine County had power restored earlier, and some had reduced voltage.

Power company officials haven't determined what caused the pole fire, but Walquist said a brief snow storm hit the Valley about the same time.

Complicating the outage was that the line affected had 60,000-volt transmission lines on top and 12,500-volt distribution lines beneath.

"When the top of the pole burned, it fell, disabling both sets of lines," Walquist said. "Two line crews and other personnel were out from about 2 a.m. until the pole was replaced on Sunday afternoon."

Residents said the electricity was going on and off throughout Sunday.