Snohomish County PUD crews headed to help restore power following Camp Fire

With the Camp Fire in Northern California now 100 percent contained, the focus turns to cleaning up and rebuilding.

A team of Western Washington utility workers is now on its way to help get the lights back on for so many people affected by this tragedy.

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The Camp Fire, which broke out Nov. 8, north of Sacramento, has killed over 85 people and destroyed tens of thousands of homes and businesses.

About 20 Snohomish County PUD workers will assist PG & E utility workers in California to help rebuild the electrical infrastructure lost in this fire.

“The air quality is going to be poor. It’s going to be long days and long nights, there’s a lot of work to do but there’s a lot of people there to help,” said line foreman Mick Conlon.

Conlon will be among the workers headed south to do everything from setting wires to installing new power poles.

Snohomish County PUD sent another crew to help out following the  Lake Fire in Southern California in August. But this time, there will be new challenges with the Camp Fire now considered the most devastating in state history.

“We are getting into things we are not used to,” said line foreman Randy Sebella. “We are getting into ash, total devastation, everything gone.”

Snohomish County PUD crews are committed to be there for two months. PGE will reimburse the entire cost of this operation.

According to the Snohomish County PUD, the crews will be called back if Washington gets hit with a major storm and help is needed up here.

Cox Media Group