The red-shaded areas on the map show at least 11.6 miles of the main power line serving Beaver Mountain where poles, wires and related equipment were burned or damaged and will need to be replaced. Crews are also testing transformers, cable, switches, insulators and other electrical equipment throughout the area. Although equipment may appear undamaged from the outside, it may be unsafe or unreliable because of heat, smoke or fire exposure. Testing helps determine what can safely remain in service and what must be repaired or replaced.

The Kents Lake area substation, which supplies power to the lake area, remains in good condition. However, most of the 7.5 miles of power lines extending from the substation were destroyed by the fire. The affected system includes approximately 2.6 miles of overhead lines, 4.9 miles of underground lines and 50 transformers. Crews are continuing to assess the full extent of damage in this area.

The Lower Beaver area substation was not damaged by the fire. However, the map shows approximately 3.7 miles of damaged power lines in the area, along with five transformers. Crews are continuing to assess connected equipment and determine what must be repaired, replaced or tested before it can safely operate.

The Elk Meadows area substation was not damaged. Crews have tested and repaired portions of 10.4 miles of underground cable serving the upper lodge area and beyond. Additional cables leaving the substation will need to be replaced, and two damaged transformers have already been replaced. 

The power line in the Elk Meadows area sustained extensive damage, including approximately 1.2 miles of overhead lines and 3.2 miles of underground lines. Crews removed damaged overhead wire and poles, many of which were on the ground. Testing found that most cable and transformers in this area were damaged. In total, 43 transformers will need to be replaced, and crews are continuing to assess additional equipment.

The red-shaded areas on the map show damaged areas, including locations where some damaged equipment has been removed.

A firm timeline is not available because rebuilding depends on more than replacing poles, wires and other electrical equipment. In many areas, damaged or washed-out roads, erosion, unstable slopes, flooding risks and burned vegetation must be addressed before crews can safely move heavy equipment into place and begin construction. Rocky Mountain Power is also coordinating with the U.S. Forest Service, Utah Department of Transportation and other agencies on road access, land management, environmental requirements and recovery planning.

Recovery timing may be affected by road repairs, site stabilization, erosion, flooding, debris movement, hazardous fire-damaged vegetation, environmental conditions, land management requirements, wildlife protections, permitting, state and federal regulations, material and equipment access, and construction conditions. Seasonal weather adds more uncertainty because snow, ice, mud and changing mountain conditions can limit access, delay equipment delivery and reduce the amount of time crews can safely work in the field.

Temporary power lines are not practical in the affected area because the same conditions limiting permanent rebuilding also affect temporary work. Steep terrain, damaged roads, unstable ground, burned vegetation, environmental conditions, land management requirements, wildlife protections, permitting and state and federal regulations can limit where temporary lines could be safely built, operated and accessed.

Billing has been paused automatically for customers whose service cannot currently be provided because of Cottonwood Fire damage to the electric system. No action is required from those customers at this time.

Rocky Mountain Power is not providing backup generators as part of this area recovery effort. Customers who choose to use a generator or other backup power source are responsible for obtaining, operating and maintaining that equipment. For safety, any backup power equipment should be installed by a licensed electrician, properly isolated from the electric grid and used in accordance with applicable codes, manufacturer instructions and local requirements. Customers should not connect private generation, temporary wiring or damaged facilities to Rocky Mountain Power’s system. Additional backup power safety information is available at RockyMountainPower.net/BackupPower.

Rocky Mountain Power is coordinating with the U.S. Forest Service, Utah Department of Transportation and other local, state and federal partners responsible for road access, land management, environmental recovery and site stabilization. Their work directly affects when and where utility crews can safely rebuild electrical infrastructure, transport heavy equipment and maintain access for emergency responders, future maintenance and long-term recovery needs.