Last power back on in NW Bend after tree top falls on lines

The top of a Ponderosa pine tree fell onto power lines and broke two power poles in northwest Bend Friday afternoon, knocking out power to nearly 3,000 Pacific Power customers, including part of the Central Oregon Community College campus, officials said.

Pacific Power repair crews had power restored to all but about 700 customers by 6 p.m.. and the rest was restored before 8 p.m., officials said. Updates can be found at https://www.pacificpower.net/ed/po/ooi.html

Bend firefighters responded at 3:22 p.m. to the report of a tree into power lines near Northwest 12th Street and Hartford Avenue, said Fire Inspector Steve Stenkamp.

Arriving crews found “the top half” of a Ponderosa pine had fallen and pulled down power lines, breaking two power poles.

The area has been blocked off for Pacific Power crews access to complete repairs and ensure resident safety, Stenkamp said. Bend police and public works crews assisted with traffic control.

Early estimates from Pacific Power indicated it could take until 10 p.m. to repair or replace the two poles and restore all service.

A small brushfire was reported around the same time near Westside Church on Northwest Shevlin Park Road. Stenkamp said a U.S. Forest Service crew handled that call, allowing Bend firefighters to attend to the Hartford Avenue call.

Pacific Power spokesman Tom Gauntt said the outage was reported around 3:30 p.m. and affected about 2,928 customers.

The power and fire issues arose as temperatures rose into the low 90s.