Power outage hits downtown Bend for over an hour, with a familiar cause: a wayward squirrel's substation intrusion

On October 18, 2024, a power outage struck downtown Bend, leaving more than 5,500 Pacific Power customers without electricity during the bustling lunch hour. The culprit behind this disruption was a wayward squirrel that managed to intrude into the utility’s riverfront substation, a situation that has occurred in the past. Power was restored within an hour, but the incident raised questions about the vulnerability of electrical infrastructure to wildlife interference. Utility officials promptly addressed the issue, emphasizing the need for further measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Many residents expressed their annoyance at the inconvenience, while others found humor in the unfortunate event.

The incident not only highlights the challenges faced by utility companies but also brings to light the unexpected ways in which nature can disrupt urban life. This power outage serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in maintaining reliable public services. As the community recovers from this incident, discussions about wildlife management around critical infrastructure may gain traction.