Breaking in Portland Oregon: Heavy fire causes widespread power outages (110,000 without power)

Friend, KATU and Portland General Electric ^ | 16 December 2006 | KATU, PGE, Friend in Portland and Me

[bd476]

By KATU Web Staff

BEAVERTON, Ore. - A transformer caught fire at a PGE substation in Beaverton, causing more than 50,000 customers to lose power Saturday night.

The fire started at a substation at Southwest 158th Avenue and Southwest Jenkins Road about 7:45 p.m., PGE officials said.

The blaze caused PGE to "de-energize" the substation, which serves more than 50,000 customers in Hillsboro, Aloha, Beaverton, Banks and Gaston.

Fire officials said several explosions accompanied the fire. About 25 firefighters were pulled back from the blaze due to safety concerns on the scene, said Karen Eubanks, a spokeswoman for Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue.

Officials are concerned about a large oil tank at the scene that could explode. They also feared firefighters getting electrocuted, Eubanks said. Crews planned to let the blaze burn itself out, which could take hours.

Investigators aren't sure what started the blaze.

PGE said it is trying to get power restored to customers.

"As soon as we can isolate this incident, we can often serve those customers from a different source," said Gail Baker, a PGE spokeswoman.

The fire interrupted westside MAX service between Hatfield Government Center and Sunset Transit Center. However, officials planned to shuttle MAX riders by bus until power was restored.

[bd476]

A friend just phoned from Portland asking me to go online to see if I could find the cause of her power outtage.

She has 3 young kids and it's 32 degrees. On KATU TV's site I found the above story and read it to her.

Then while she was making plans with her husband to find warmer shelter for the evening, I phoned Portland General Electric and spoke with PGE Customer Service.

The fire is not out yet, and PGE is waiting until the fire is out then engineers will try to re-route the power so that the 60,000 people who lost power tonight will have power again, as soon as possible.

Unknown cause of fire, and there were explosions. They are letting the fire burn itself out, according to PGE.

Unknown time of power restoration because there are still 50,000 people without power related to the recent storm.

Portland General Electric

[_Jim]

Unknown cause of fire, and there were explosions.

Those fires can be SPECTACULAR; the source of such events can be heavy load caused by the cold and overload and subsequent failure of transformers or switchgear at the substations ..

[bd476]

KATU TV Online UPDATE:

Story Published: Dec 16, 2006 at 8:59 PM PST

Story Updated: Dec 16, 2006 at 9:34 PM PST

By KATU Web Staff

BEAVERTON, Ore. - A transformer caught fire at a PGE substation in Beaverton, causing more than 50,000 customers to lose power Saturday night.

Due to safety concerns, firefighters are hanging back and waiting for the blaze to burn itself out, which they estimate could take between 12 and 18 hours.

No nearby homes or apartments are threatened by the fire, which ignited at a substation at Southwest 158th Avenue and Southwest Jenkins Road about 7:45 p.m., PGE officials said.

The blaze caused PGE to "de-energize" the substation, which serves more than 50,000 customers in Hillsboro, Aloha, Beaverton, Banks and Gaston.

Fire officials said several explosions accompanied the fire, including one that launched a fireball 500 feet into the air. About 25 firefighters initially responded but were pulled back from the blaze due to safety concerns, said Karen Eubanks, a spokeswoman for Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue.

Officials are concerned about a 10,000 to 20,000 gallon tank of mineral oil at the scene that could explode. The oil is used for cooling. They also feared firefighters getting electrocuted and were not spraying water or foam on the blaze, Eubanks said. Firefighters stood watch about 100 feet from the fire.

Investigators aren't sure what started the blaze.

PGE said it is trying to get power restored to customers.

"As soon as we can isolate this incident, we can often serve those customers from a different source," said Gail Baker, a PGE spokeswoman.

The fire interrupted westside MAX service between Hatfield Government Center and Sunset Transit Center. However, officials planned to shuttle MAX riders by bus until power was restored.

KATU

[_Jim]

For instance, here's the report on the fire in December 2003 Substation Fire in San Francisco:

http://www.pge.com/news/news_releases/q3_2004/040820.html

Release Date: August 20, 2004
Contact: PG&E News Department (415) 973-5930
PG&E Submits Final Report on December 2003 Substation Fire in San Francisco
Confirms Cause Was Cable Failure; Verifies Delay in Response Was Due to Equipment, Procedural Problems; Corrective Actions Already Underway

SAN FRANCISCO - Pacific Gas and Electric Company today submitted to the staff of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) the final results of its investigation into the December 20, 2003, fire at its Mission Street Substation and the resulting power outage in San Francisco. The report also outlines the many steps the utility is taking to improve its fire prevention, detection, and response efforts.

On December 23, 2003, PG&E notified the CPUC, the City and County of San Francisco and the public that the cause of the fire appeared to be a cable failure at the substation, and that the fire burned for up to two hours before utility crews arrived to investigate. Initial estimates were that the outage resulting from the incident affected 120,000 PG&E customers in San Francisco.

The utility?s investigation, submitted today, determined the outage actually affected a somewhat smaller number of customers ? a total of 101,450 PG&E customers in San Francisco ? starting at 5:24 p.m. on Saturday, December 20. Power was restored to approximately 80,400 (79 percent) of those customers by 6:45 a.m. the following morning. The remaining 21,050 customers had their power restored in groups throughout the day, with the last customers restored just before midnight on Sunday.

The investigation confirmed that as originally believed the cause of the incident was a cable failure in an electrical cabinet on the second floor of the substation, which caused a slow-burning fire in ductwork within the substation. PG&E?s investigation found that once the fire was located and extinguished, the restoration effort proceeded efficiently and safely. However, the investigation concluded that a lack of fire detection equipment in this part of the substation, the design of the remote monitoring systems, and unclear procedures for employees, added to the duration of the power outage that resulted from the fire.

[Westlander]

Fill your friend in on the weather.

http://www.weatherunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=portland%2C+or

[Westlander]

'At PGE, we work hard to help prevent power outages, but if one does occur, we want to help you — fast.'

[djf]

110,000?

Slackers. We still got half a mill near Puget Sound.

Now, I drive a twelve year old Nissan. Ain't got me one of them 2007 Ford Excursions with a DVD player.
But I got a GENERATOR. And FIFTY GALLONS OF GAS STASHED! And TWENTY GALLONS OF PROPANE!

Snug as a bug in a rug!

Na.. Na........Na. Na. Na.......!!

[bd476]

_Jim wrote: " 'Unknown cause of fire, and there were explosions.'

Those fires can be SPECTACULAR; the source of such events can be heavy load caused by the cold and overload and subsequent failure of transformers or switchgear at the substations .."

My friend just phoned again.

They had heard the earlier explosions and from the updated story I just posted here there was a fireball which shot 500 feet into the air.

It looks like another big concern, other than the already substantial power outtage in 32 degree weather, is the 10,000 - 20,000 gallon mineral oil tank near the fire.

According to PGE, the fireman can't do anything except let the fire burn. Then once the fire is out, according to PGE, the PGE engineers hope to be able to re-route power to the 60,000 people who lost power in the past hour from this substation fire, which will leave only 50,000 people still without power.

[burzum]

Sucks to be a power company lineman in the Pacific Northwest for the past couple of days. That is unless you like overtime!

[DakotaRed]

Current estimates are it will burn for another 12 to 18 hours, 10 PM Pacific time

[bd476]

Thanks so much, Westlander. I now see the forecast of 25 degrees tonight. I had assumed that she had gas heating but apparently not. I've left a message on her cellphone. She has little toddlers. Thanks again.

[djf]

Hey, besides for the fact that you're takin your life in your hand anytime you go near a downed power line, it's below freezing out there now, about 27 at my place.

But for instance my provider had 750,000 households out, even at a meager four dollars a day for juice, that three million bucks a day.

So you do what ya gotta do.

Wouldn't surprise me a bit if those guys are making a grand a day, easy.

[bd476]

Thank you for posting the story about San Francisco in 2003. It would be quite a coincidence if it was also 32 degrees in San Francisco when that happened.

Do you know if there was also a 10-20,000 gallon oil tank near the fire in San Francisco? Apparently they use the oil as coolant.

Maybe the Oregon firefighters should consult with San Francisco firefighters. It might help them.

[tubebender]

I got 15 gallons of propane and 12 gallons of gas for my puny 1000W Honda but that is a 1000W more than I have ever had before.

Is your house wired with a inter-tie switch?

[blam]

"But I got a GENERATOR. And FIFTY GALLONS OF GAS STASHED! And TWENTY GALLONS OF PROPANE! "

Way to go. I'm proud of you.

[_Jim]

Do you know if there was also a 10-20,000 gallon oil tank near the fire in San Francisco? Apparently they use the oil as coolant.

Transformer oil; provides insulation as well as a cooling medium (either forcefully pumped or works by 'convection' - self-circulating in some transformers).

I didn't see where any xfmr oil was involved in San Fran; here is a more detailed report in pdf format which contains more technical details:

www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUBLISHED/Report/40886.PDF Caution! 1.4 MB in size!

[_Jim]

I got 15 gallons of propane and 12 gallons of gas for my puny 1000W Honda

More than enough to power an Icom 756 Pro-II at 100 Watts and alternately a coffee pot ...

[tubebender]

PG&E of northern Cal is sending crews north to help. Usually it's the other way around. We had a 100MPH wind storm blow through on Jan 1st of this year and crews came from all over to help...

[djf]

Nope. I let it run in my shed, separate and unattached. Bring it in on an extension cord to a power strip. Enough to run my pellet stove, a light, and plug the fridge in a couple times a day.

I was a FM today looking for propane light mantles (don't really need them, was just gonna pick up a few spares).

Some of the folks in there were pretty desperate.

Heck, I had stew for luch, watched the evening news, been drinkin hot coffe all day...

It really doesn't take much to be prepared. After a power outage two years ago, I saw a Coleman 1850 watt generator in a hock shop for 299. I said "give ya 200 bux", they took it on the spot.

[bd476]

Story Published: Dec 16, 2006 at 8:59 PM PST

Story Updated: Dec 16, 2006 at 9:55 PM PST

By KATU Web Staff

BEAVERTON, Ore. - A transformer caught fire at a PGE substation in Beaverton, causing more than 50,000 customers to lose power Saturday night.

Due to safety concerns, firefighters are hanging back and waiting for the blaze to burn itself out, which they estimate could take between 12 and 18 hours.

No one was evacuated and no nearby homes or apartments were threatened by the fire, which ignited at a substation at Southwest 158th Avenue and Southwest Jenkins Road about 7:45 p.m., PGE officials said.

The blaze caused PGE to "de-energize" the substation, which serves more than 50,000 customers in Hillsboro, Aloha, Beaverton, Banks and Gaston.

Fire officials said several explosions accompanied the fire, including one that launched a fireball 500 feet into the air.

About 25 firefighters initially responded but were pulled back from the blaze due to safety concerns, said Karen Eubanks, a spokeswoman for Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue.

Officials are concerned about a 10,000 to 20,000 gallon tank of mineral oil at the scene that could explode. The oil is used for cooling.

They also feared firefighters getting electrocuted and were not spraying water or foam on the blaze, Eubanks said.

Firefighters Saturday night stood watch about 100 feet from the fire, which officials said was under control and contained in a fenced area.

Investigators aren't sure what started the blaze.

PGE said it is trying to get power restored to customers.

"As soon as we can isolate this incident, we can often serve those customers from a different source," said Gail Baker, a PGE spokeswoman.

The fire interrupted westside MAX service between Hatfield Government Center and Sunset Transit Center. However, officials planned to shuttle MAX riders by bus until power was restored.

Story Published: Dec 16, 2006 at 8:59 PM PST

Story Updated: Dec 16, 2006 at 10:08 PM PST

By KATU Web Staff

BEAVERTON, Ore. - A transformer caught fire at a PGE substation in Beaverton, causing more than 50,000 customers to lose power Saturday night.

Due to safety concerns, firefighters are hanging back and waiting for the blaze to burn itself out, which they estimate could take between 12 and 18 hours.

No one was evacuated and no nearby homes or apartments were threatened by the fire, which ignited at a substation at Southwest 158th Avenue and Southwest Jenkins Road about 7:45 p.m., PGE officials said.

The blaze caused PGE to "de-energize" the substation, which serves more than 50,000 customers in Hillsboro, Aloha, Beaverton, Banks and Gaston.

Fire officials said several explosions accompanied the fire, including one that launched a fireball 500 feet into the air.

About 25 firefighters initially responded but were pulled back from the blaze due to safety concerns, said Karen Eubanks, a spokeswoman for Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue.

Officials are concerned about a 10,000 to 20,000 gallon tank of mineral oil at the scene that could explode. The oil is used for cooling.

They also feared firefighters getting electrocuted and were not spraying water or foam on the blaze, Eubanks said.

Firefighters Saturday night stood watch about 100 feet from the fire, which officials said was under control and contained in a fenced area.

Investigators aren't sure what started the blaze.

PGE said it is trying to get power restored to customers.

"As soon as we can isolate this incident, we can often serve those customers from a different source," said Gail Baker, a PGE spokeswoman.

The fire interrupted westside MAX service between Hatfield Government Center and Sunset Transit Center. However, officials planned to shuttle MAX riders by bus until power was restored.

The blaze ignited as PGE crews were still trying to restore power to those who lost electricity during Thursday's wind storm. As of 10 p.m., PGE reported 48,000 of those customers still without power.

KATU TV