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Wildfire Outages: Thousands Still Dark
4 Aug
Summary
- Thousands remain without power due to wildfire damage.
- Avista restored a key transmission line, reducing outage risks.
- Company faces infrastructure damage and regulatory challenges.
As of August 3, 2026, Avista Corp is dealing with the aftermath of recent wildfires, which have left approximately 7,300 electric customers and 5,300 natural gas customers without service. While a critical transmission line has been repaired, crews are still assessing and beginning repairs on other damaged infrastructure. The company is exploring cost recovery and insurance options for the wildfire-related damage.
Avista's proactive wildfire mitigation efforts, including safety power shutoffs and vegetation management, were effective in preventing ignitions. However, the extent of infrastructure damage from the Spokane wildfires remains a significant uncertainty. The company also anticipates difficulties in its Washington rate case settlement due to differing views on a four-year plan, potentially prolonging regulatory processes.
