High winds caused widespread power outages and a fire Thursday afternoon across La Plata County, according to a news release from La Plata Electric Association.
A downed power line started a fire in Archuleta County in the 3000 block of County Road 500, a news release said.
There were 780 customers without power across La Plata and Archuleta counties at about 5:15 p.m., it said.
LPEA responded to a larger outage southeast of the Durango-La Plata County Airport on County Roads 314 and 311 near Ignacio, which affected about 400 customers.
Crews are also working on downed lines and equipment outages near County Roads 302 and 304 and U.S. Highway 550. as well as West Third Avenue in Durango.
According to the release, power lines automatically de-energize to avoid fire or further damage when wires bounce against one another in the wind.
Crews were checking equipment and re-energizing lines.
The National Weather Service in Grand Junction issued a wind advisory until 8 p.m. for the region.
Winds are blowing northwest at 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph.
mrupani@durangoherald.com
