Petaluma Power Pole Fire Spreads To Building, Causes Outage

PETALUMA, CA — A power pole caught fire and spread to a larger structure fire Sunday night in Petaluma, police said.

The incident, which was first reported by police around 6 p.m. Sunday, also caused a widespread power outage and prompted an overnight closure of Madison Street between Wilson and Lakeville streets as PG&E replaced the pole.

The fire in the 400 block of Madison Street was contained by around 9 p.m. Sunday.

No community members were harmed, police said.

"PG&E crews worked with first responders, safely and as quickly as possible, to make repairs to damaged electrical equipment and restore power to approximately 2,771 customers in Petaluma overnight," PG&E Spokesperson Deanna Contreras told Patch.

Power was restored to all customers by 8 a.m. Monday, Contreras said.

The cause of the pole fire and outage was what PG&E calls a "flashover."

"During a dry season, and especially amid the current drought affecting California, dust, dirt, salt and other substances accumulate on power lines," Contreras said. "When light rain or mist arrives after a long dry spell, it can turn this mixture into mud, which conducts electricity. This can damage electrical equipment, potentially resulting in pole fires and outages."

PG&E has a pole-washing program to reduce the potential for such outages, Contreras said.

"When these kinds of weather-related outages occur, PG&E works to restore power to as many customers as possible, using techniques like switching customers from one line to another. In some cases, the volume of issues can lead to extended outages," Contreras said.

PG&E’s meteorology team tracks weather patterns so crews are ready in advance. PG&E also brings in crews from lesser hit areas, when necessary, she said.

"The most common damage from these kinds of weather issues come from crossarms or poles being burned and requiring replacement," Contreras said. "PG&E is proactively patrolling and replacing damaged equipment as part of the expanded pole washing program."