Weather Extremes Blamed for Power Pole Fires in Newport

Two Southern California Edison power poles caught on fire in separate Newport Beach incidents Monday morning. The top of one pole fell to the ground as sparks flew.

Both fires were the result of weather conditions, when moisture in the evening air brings salt and other contaminants to the wires, then the hot sun dries those substances to the wires, the utility said. In a process called tracking, the wire becomes heated and sparks set the pole on fire.

The Newport Beach Fire Department received the first call at 6:49 a.m., for a burning power pole in an alley.

“It was just kind of glowing like a campfire, like burning embers,” Fire Capt. Tim Harlan said.

Firefighters were waiting for Edison officials to arrive about 7:30 a.m., when the top four feet of the high-voltage pole fell over, hitting a house. Three wires came down along with the pole top, sending sparks flying everywhere, Harlan said.

The falling pole caused structural damage to the house, scorched a car and left 2,250 customers without electricity for about an hour. About 30 customers, however, were without power for most of Monday.

Harlan said it appeared that the fire began from within the pole because it burned through the top of the pole, and “it looked like where an owl would live.”

Edison reported a similar pole fire in the 1800 block of Balboa Boulevard about 9:30 a.m. when a cross-arm on the pole caught fire. Edison workers put out the fire.

Newport Beach police closed Balboa Boulevard to traffic for two hours Monday while firefighters and Edison officials brought the first fire under control.