A utility pole was struck by lightning and caught fire Thursday evening on Highway 11 East near the Burner Road.
The lightening strike caused power outages for about 1,200 residences east of the site, according to Amy Rutledge, communications manager for Minnesota Power.
Firefighters were called at 5:55 p.m. and a fire on the pole was extinguished in about an hour, according to an International Falls Fire Department report. Traffic on Highway 11 East was rerouted until about 11 p.m. while firefighters and Minnesota Power employees worked on the problem.
Power was not restored until about 3 a.m. Friday morning.
Rutledge explained that the lengthy repair period was due to the close proximity of the utility pole to the substation, requiring the entire pole to be replaced. Local crews responded and additional crews from around the area were called in for the project.
Lightening in the area caused the electricity to flicker around the Falls earlier in the day, according to Rutledge. The flickering is caused by protective devices trying to ward off the effects of the weather, she noted.
“Our system is designed to protect against these circumstances, but sometimes it is out of our control,” Rutledge said.
She added that Minnesota Power appreciates customers’ patience in the duration of the repair and suggested that this is good time for people to consider decisions for an alternate plan during power outages in colder weather.
“Alternate heat sources are encouraged,” she said, “as well as being prepared with an accessible flashlight, and a plan to stay elsewhere.”
Rutledge reminds customers that additional information about preparing for the upcoming winter season is inserted in the company’s monthly statements.
On Friday, firefighters were called to a fire at the Koochiching County Jail at 5:55 a.m.
The cause was a fan that overheated and began smoking. No injuries were reported.