Courtesy photo                                HEA Land Management Officer Cody Neuendorf and Mike Hill, Kenai Wildlife Refuge assistant fire management officer, brief a clearing contractor on fire-related hazards at the “S/Q Line” Right of Way in this undated photo.

Courtesy photo HEA Land Management Officer Cody Neuendorf and Mike Hill, Kenai Wildlife Refuge assistant fire management officer, brief a clearing contractor on fire-related hazards at the “S/Q Line” Right of Way in this undated photo.

HEA begins repairing fire-damaged transmission line

Damage extends from Sterling to the Quartz Creek Substation near Cooper Landing.

Homer Electric Association is working to restore the transmission line damaged by the Swan Lake Fire.

The transmission line delivers electricity from the Bradley Lake Dam near Homer to electric utilities north of the Kenai Peninsula.

With the help of Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and fire personnel, HEA has begun initial work to clear fire damaged trees and debris around the transmission line, according to a Wednesday HEA press release.

Damage extends from Sterling to the Quartz Creek Substation near Cooper Landing.

A preliminary assessment of the damaged area shows fire damage to structures supporting the line in wetlands along the north side of the Sterling Highway Watson Lake to Milepost 62.5, near Lower Jean Lake.

The segment of the line along the south side of the Sterling Highway from Milepost 62.5 to 58 are in areas of heavy fire-damaged timber and steep terrain.

On Tuesday, crews began using specialized tools and mechanical equipment to open access along this portion of the line.

“Recognizing the importance of this line to electric consumers throughout the “Railbelt” from Seward to Fairbanks, HEA has begun the next phase for returning the line to service,” the Wednesday release said. “The initial phase, now completed, involved several assessments via helicopter, and, where possible, road observations. This approach was used due to ongoing risk of hazards such as falling trees and ash pits in the immediate area of the line (right of way).”

HEA, along with a team of consultants “with extensive experience in evaluating fire impacted transmission line facilities,” will undertake a more thorough on-the-ground assessment of damage to the transmission line poles, support structures, insulators and power lines along the almost 15 miles of fire impacted line.

The next phase will help gather information about the nature and extent of the damage, which will be used to develop site-specific work plans for repair.

It is anticipated this work will continue into early November, pending conditions on the ground.

More in News

A demonstrator holds up a sign during the “No Kings” protest on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Homer hits the streets to say ‘No Kings’

Around 700 gathered locally as part of a nationwide protest.

Brooklyn Coleman, right, staffs The Squeeze Squad lemonade stand during Lemonade Day in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kids learn business skills at annual Lemonade Day

Around 40 stands were strewn around Soldotna, Kenai, Nikiski and Sterling for the event.

Planes are showcased at the Kenai Air Fair in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai fair shows off aircraft of all kinds

Cargo planes to helicopters were on display Saturday.

David Meyer. Photo courtesy of Chantrelle Meyer
Volunteers continue search for missing Happy Valley man

David Meyer was reported missing June 11 while kayaking in Cook Inlet.

Boats at Douglas Harbor under mostly clear skies on Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
80°F in Juneau will trigger first-ever National Weather Service heat advisories

Officials say sun’s angle in Alaska makes temperatures feel higher compared to other states.

People carrying flags and signs line the Sterling Highway for a “No Kings” protest in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna ‘No Kings’ protest draws hundreds

The nationwide protest came the same day as a military parade organized at the behest of the Trump administration.

Council member Jordan Chilson speaks during a Soldotna City Council work session in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna council mulls change to meeting time

Meetings would be moved from 6 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. under a resolution set to be considered on June 25.

Mountain View Elementary School is photographed on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Mountain View vandalized by children, police say

Staff who arrived at the school on Monday found significant damage, according to police.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy compares Alaska to Mississippi data on poverty, per-pupil education spending, and the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress 4th grade reading scores during a press conference on Jan. 31, 2025. Alaska is highlighted in yellow, while Mississippi is in red. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Dunleavy vetoes education funding to $500 BSA increase

Per-student funding was increased by $700 in an education bill passed by the Alaska Legislature in May.

Most Read