Severe Thunderstorms Hit Bonner County, Sparking Fires, Downed Trees and Widespread Outages
SANDPOINT, Idaho — Severe thunderstorms swept across Bonner County late Wednesday, triggering structure fires, downed trees and power lines, vehicle accidents, and widespread electricity outages affecting tens of thousands of customers.
Sandpoint Fire, along with mutual aid from Northside Fire and Selkirk Fire, responded to a structure fire at a multi-family residence in the 1600 block of Pine Street. Crews also investigated a possible fire in the 100 block of North Lincoln. Multiple accidents were reported throughout the county, with downed trees and fallen power lines creating hazardous conditions across the area.
Sandpoint Mayor Jeremy Grimm said he was closely tracking the storm’s impact, noting reports of blown transformers, brush fires, and vehicle collisions. Grimm credited local first responders for their handling of the emergency.
“I’m so grateful for our first responders, fire and police,” Grimm said, adding that conditions could have been far more dangerous in peak summer heat. He also singled out Bonner Dispatch personnel, calling their performance under pressure “cool and calm” and praising their ability to manage a high volume of simultaneous calls. “What professionals,” he said.
Thousands of Customers Without Power
Two utility companies serving the region — Avista Utilities and Northern Lights, Inc. — reported significant outages as the storm moved through. Avista logged approximately 170 separate outage incidents affecting more than 17,000 customers. Northern Lights reported multiple and widespread disruptions throughout its coverage area.
Crews from both utilities mobilized to assess damage and begin restoration work, with repairs proceeding as safety conditions permitted. Residents are urged to keep clear of any downed power lines and treat them as energized until utility crews confirm otherwise.
Customers in the Northern Lights service area can report outages or damage by calling 1-866-665-4837. Avista customers have several reporting options: online at myavista.com/outage, through the Avista mobile app, or by phone at (800) 227-9187. Registered Avista customers can also text “OUT” to 284-782 to report an outage, or “STAT” for a current status update. To register a mobile number, text “REG” to the same number.
What Comes Next
Utility restoration timelines had not been confirmed as of late Wednesday evening, with crews working through the night as conditions allowed. Residents throughout Bonner County should continue to monitor official updates from Avista and Northern Lights and avoid any areas where trees or power lines are down. Local emergency responders, including Bonner Dispatch, remained active in coordinating the ongoing response. Public safety officials have not yet released a full damage assessment, and additional information is expected as the situation develops. Those with storm-related emergencies should contact appropriate local services. Property owners who sustained damage from the storms are encouraged to document losses and contact their insurance providers. For the latest on public safety activity in the region, see our earlier report on a fatal Bonner County crash that also drew emergency response this week.