Power still out for 1,000 in Pinyon Pines and Mountain Center as Rosa Fire recovery continues
Garrett Hottle
PINYON PINES, Calif. (KESQ)Day five of the Rosa Fire brings improved containment, but for many in the evacuation zone, life is far from normal. In Pinyon Pines, the focus has shifted from fighting flames to restoring power…and that’s proving to be its own uphill battle.
Roughly 1,000 customers remain without electricity, according to Kevin Short, General Manager with Anza Electric Cooperative.
“Right now it’s roughly 500 services, so roughly a thousand people,” Short explained. “Because of damage that we’ve got from our line moving into Anza, we can’t feed this area right now,” Short explained.
Crews have trucked in massive diesel-powered generators to keep some lights on, refueling them every eight hours until permanent repairs can be made.
Short estimates the full fix will take “another four or five days,” with normal power expected to return sometime next week.
In the meantime, workers are racing to keep the generators running and repairs moving forward, all while contending with a punishing heat wave.
Pullara lives in Mountain Center and says, the wait is wearing thin. “Terrible. Stressful,” he said.
Pullara has been staying at a home down the hill with six animals after losing power, while also caring for a neighbor whose dog died in the fire.
“Hopefully they’ll get the power on today or tomorrow and then we can get back to normal life again,” he explained. “Our animals are… displaced and it’s difficult to deal with.”
Despite the frustration, Short says coordination between the cooperative, county agencies, and Cal Fire has been strong.
“I’d like to really extend my thanks to all the firefighters… and everybody at the county and all of our members up here on the hill,” he said.
The Rosa Fire is now 40% contained.
Some residents in evacuation warning zones have been allowed to return, but evacuation orders remain in place for others.
Statement from Shane Reichardt of the County Emergency Management Department
“Evacuation Orders are lawful closures of an area due to immediate danger to all within that area. We do not encourage anyone to remain behind and due to the danger, we’re unable to support residents who have chosen to ignore an Evacuation Order.
An Evacuation Order is issued because it simply is too dangerous for residents to remain in that area.”
Supplemental information:
Evacuation Orders are issued because homes may burn, but also that, due to the fire, damage to roads and damage to infrastructure first responders may not be able to quickly and safely get to people who choose to remain behind should they have an emergency (medical emergencies, etc.).
Residents who ignore Evacuation Orders are likely to find themselves without power and/or water for days, phone services may be interrupted, they may have evacuation routes from their homes cut off by fallen power/telephone poles and/or trees and the roads themselves may be damaged or destroyed. While the fire may have passed some areas, crews quickly move in to replace guardrails, to restore critical infrastructure and to extinguish hot spots. These crews may be working in and/or blocking roadways.
When areas are evacuated the Emergency Management Department works quickly with County Departments such as DPSS and Animal Services, along with the Red Cross to set up shelters. Animal sheltering is set up simultaneously to ensure pets and livestock also have a safe place to shelter from danger. At our shelters we work to ensure the needs of residents are met by providing food, water, clothing, basic medical and behavioral health services. In example, if someone evacuated without their medications or durable medical devices, public health nurses are available to ensure evacuees have their basic needs met while they away from their homes.
Evacuation Warnings are also important notices that Evacuation Orders may be coming and anyone who may need extra time to evacuate and those with animals should consider leaving when Evacuation Warnings are issued.
If someone feels their life is in immediate danger and is unable to evacuate themselves, they should call 9-1-1. If someone needs assistance evacuating their animals they can call the Department of Animal Services at (951) 358-7387. Within Riverside County residents can also call 2-1-1 for questions about other services that may be available.