Traffic signals dark after Indio fire cuts power service to 2,200 customers

Update: 9:30 p.m.

133 customers remain without power, as they have since early Friday morning. IID announced that the estimated restoration time is approximately 11 a.m. on Saturday.

Original Report:

An estimated 2,200 Imperial Irrigation District power customers were left without service Friday morning, and traffic signals darkened, after a fire in Indio north of Interstate 10 near Jefferson Street.

It burned trees and powerlines along Avenue 40 between Jefferson Street and Adams Streets. 

The fire was reported shortly before midnight Thursday.

Police closed the area due to the hazard of burned power lines lying on the ground.

1,100 IID customers remained without electricity as of 6:00 a.m., a number that dropped to 156 as of 7:30 a.m. and 113 by 8:00 a.m.

As of 9:30 p.m., 133 customers were still without power. IID listed the estimated restoration time at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29.

Power Outage Update: Thank you for your continued patience while crews are working as quickly and safely to restore power to remaining 133 customer in Indio. Current estimated restoration time is tomorrow 10/30/21 at 11:00am. Updates to follow.

— IID (@IIDatWork) October 30, 2021

The outage also darkened traffic signals on Jefferson Street north of the freeway and at the I-10 interchange where the lights were completely off.

Drivers were urged to use caution in the area due to the non-functioning traffic signal lights, allow for extra time to get through the Jefferson interchange, and any darkened intersection as a four-way stop.

No injuries were reported from the fire.

Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for fire cleanup updates and your Time Saver Traffic at 6:15 a.m. and 6:45 a.m.