| 117th Year, 2nd Issue | Thursday, August 18, 2005 | Sparta, North Carolina |
A tree growing too close to power lines was the cause of a power outage last Thursday (Aug. 11) affecting some 53,000 members of Blue Ridge Electric in Alleghany, Watauga and Ashe counties.
The tree was located on the Blue Ridge Parkway, where Blue Ridge Electric and Parkway officials work closely to maintain the natural beauty of this scenic and protected area. Blue Ridge Electric and Parkway officials are working on an agreement to trim any trees in the affected area that might jeopardize power reliability again.
The outage, which started at 1:12 p.m. and was restored within 32
minutes, was also partly the result of the heat, which can cause power
lines to sag. When the outside air temperature and humidity reached a
certain point, the line sagged onto a tree that at other times appeared
to be an adequate distance from the line.
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