CALGARY FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDS TO EARLY MORNING POLE FIRES

At approximately 05:30 this morning the Calgary Fire Department started responding to a number of electrical pole fires in the Coach hill area. Although the fires were quickly extinguished the damage cause by the fires are causing power outages in the area. This phenomenon is not uncommon in the early spring and is referred to as “tracking”.    Over the winter months a build up of grim and dirt occurs in the insulators, these insulators are used to attach the electrical wires to the power poles.  A light rain, snow or even dense fog can produce the right conditions for the insulators to start to overheat which will cause the fire. At the present time, ENMAX is working to restore power to the affected areas. The Fire Department would like to remind everyone that pole fires and downed power lines can be extremely dangerous, do not approach them or attempt to extinguish these fires.

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