Spring Fire Public Information
In 2016, San Isabel Electric become the conduit for a $300,000 interest free USDA loan that helped La Veta Fire Protection District build their new fire station. The new fire station helped LVFD protect the community during the 2018 Spring Fire, which destroyed thousands of pieces of electricity infrastructure, but more importantly dozens of homes. Thanks to the strength of our relationship with LVFD, power restoration efforts were swift. We remain committed to southern Colorado and our members and will rebuild as a community, together. To read more about the Spring Fire, check out the article “Through a Lineworker’s Eyes” by member and employee Eddie Smith in the September Issue of Colorado Country Life.
Emergency Mobile Communications Tower
An emergency mobile communications tower had been a recurring dream of one of our tech services engineers. The disastrous circumstances that would create the need for his wondrous idea to ignite arose during the Spring Fire. The new mobile tower, enclosed in a 8-foot by 12-foot trailer, includes an automated meter, radio and networking infrastructure, even air conditioning to keep the stacks of equipment cool. It is powered by existing power lines or the generator that is also part of the mobile tower. The emergency mobile communications tower is being used until we are finished rebuilding the tower and building on the new permanent site. Read more about the Emergency Mobile Communications Tower here.
Mobile Power Substation
San Isabel Electric had our mobile power substation, stockpiles of equipment and materials, and contractors on standby, ready to deploy as soon as fire managers said it was safe to enter the burn area. Click on the pictures below to learn more.
All mandatory evacuation orders were lifted and residents could return home on July 12th at 6:00 pm.
Here is a list of subdivisions that were affected by the fire and the number of days each subdivision was without power if power has been restored.
| Subdivision name | Total days without power (power has been restored to the main lines in these areas) |
| Red Wing | 0 |
| (CR 570 South Red Wing | 6 days |
| Malachite | 0 |
| CL&G CR 530 | 6 days |
| CL&G CR 540 (Greenhorn) | 4 days |
| Paradise Acres | 15 days |
| Majors Ranch CR 530 | 6 days |
| Majors Ranch CR 520 | 4 days |
| Navajo Ranch | 0 |
| Pinon Hills | 0 |
| Tres Valles | 6 days |
| Middle Creek | 4 days |
| Sulfur Springs | 6 days |
| Piney Ridge | 6 days |
| Rasberry Mountain | 5 days |
| Pinehaven | 5 days |
| Pandero | 5 days |
| Spanish Peaks – Brittons | 5 days |
| Wahatoya Valley | 0 |
| School Creek | 0 |
| Shangril La | 0 |
| Little Kansas | 0 |
| Forbes Park | 17 days |