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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Power company officials were asking for patience and energy conservation efforts Sunday, as crews worked to repair power lines knocked out a day earlier by a southern Utah wildfire.
More than 4,600 St. George customers lost power Saturday, although Utah Power was able to restore service by routing power through local utility lines, company spokesman Jeff Hymas said.
Customers could experience rolling blackouts on Sunday, however, Hymas said.
"As the temperatures rise today, the demand for electricity on the municipal system increases, so we expect that we made need to implement rotating outages," Hymas said.
Hymas asked customers to try to conserve energy as repairs were made. Rising temperatures were expected to stress the power delivery system, so conversation would help prevent equipment failure and could reduce the potential for outages.
To conserve energy during peak daylight demand hours, Hymas says Utah Power recommends shutting off air conditioning units, or keeping units set at 78 degrees or higher; using alternative sources of cooling, such as ceiling fans; cooking outdoors or using microwave ovens; and waiting to use household appliances until evening.
Fire officials gave repair crews clearance to cross burned out firelines on Sunday morning to make repairs, Hymas said. Repairs were expected to be completed by the end of the day. .
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
