10-13-2021, 06:43 PM
A falling tree apparently knocked a power line onto an occupied vehicle in Hawaiian Beaches, resulting in a fire that killed a woman and injured a man:
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2021/10/13...sing-fire/
This tragic incident is a clear indication of just how dangerous the overhanging rain forest vegetation can be when it comes to power lines. Hopefully, this may (or may not) spur HELCO to do a better job of policing the lines. I have witnessed a HELCO repair crew that came out to clear felled trees and restore lines who left a tottering tree directly overhanging the line they just replaced. When neighbors and I pointed out that they were leaving a problem, we were told, "Our job is to get your power back on as quickly as possible. Someone else will come and take care of this." Two months later, the tree fell and they got to replace that stretch of line a second time.
Sorry about the rant, but the fatality is just too much.
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2021/10/13...sing-fire/
This tragic incident is a clear indication of just how dangerous the overhanging rain forest vegetation can be when it comes to power lines. Hopefully, this may (or may not) spur HELCO to do a better job of policing the lines. I have witnessed a HELCO repair crew that came out to clear felled trees and restore lines who left a tottering tree directly overhanging the line they just replaced. When neighbors and I pointed out that they were leaving a problem, we were told, "Our job is to get your power back on as quickly as possible. Someone else will come and take care of this." Two months later, the tree fell and they got to replace that stretch of line a second time.
Sorry about the rant, but the fatality is just too much.