Hoover Dam Transformer Catches Fire, Extinguished Without Power Grid Interruption

Parts of the Hoover Dam caught on fire following the explosion of an electrical transformer, according to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. No injuries were recorded, and the fire was quickly extinguished. There was also no threat reported to the national power grid as well.

According to Bloomberg News, authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire. Videos posted on social media have shown a huge plume of black smoke from the area of the explosion.

Fire From Burning Transformer Extinguished in 30 Minutes

The federal Bureau of Reclamation said that the Hoover fire brigade and dam workers quickly put off the fire 30 minutes after it was reported that one of the transformers caught fire.

The fire was out quickly that the Boulder City fire department reported that it was already over when they arrived at the scene.

According to a statement from the Bureau of Reclamation, it was the A5 transformer that caught on fire. An explosion was heard, it the fire was recorded at 10:00 a.m. By 10:30 a.m., the fire had already been extinguished.

According to USA Today, one of the tourists visiting the dam was one of the first to record the fire. William Herro, a 13-year-old visitor from San Francisco, California was on a viewing platform with his parents. They then heard a "big boom" and saw the explosion.

Herro said that black smoke exploded in the air like a mushroom. A fire then followed afterward. Despite being surprised, he started filming and posted the video on TikTok.

Authorities are now investigating the cause of the fire, as well as the extent of the damage the explosion caused to the transformer.

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Hoover Dam Still Generating Power Despite Transformer Explosion

While the loss of one transformer may put pressure on the U.S. power grid, it would not be enough to actually endanger the entire system. Only one of the Hoover Dam's 15 transformers caught fire and exploded. With only one transformer not working, it would not be able to totally disrupt the distribution of power to millions of Americans.

A spokesperson for the Western Area Power Administration, where the power produced in the dam is transferred for distribution, stated that "no single source is integral to the health of the power grid."

The Hoover Dam is operated by the Bureau of Reclamation and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. According to ABC News, as many as 20,000 vehicles drive by the national landmark daily.

It provides power not just to the Western parts of the United States but to Mexico as well. However, there are now concerns that Climate Change may affect the distribution of power from the Hoover Dam, as well as the Glen Canyon Dam. Lake Mead and Lake Powell, man-made reservoirs which hold water from the Colorado River, have been declining in levels in the past few years. This is mainly attributed to climate change, as the lakes' waters have sunk to their lowest levels in decades.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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