PATTEN — An osprey flying onto a power line in Westfield sparked an electrical fire that knocked out power to nearly 3,000 customers of Maine Public Service Monday.
According to Virginia R. Joles, senior communications specialist, the incident occurred at 9:26 a.m. on Line 6940, near Westfield. The fire burned a transmission power line, causing the station’s transformer to fault.
“Electrical rearrangements were made to bring McCain’s Processing Plant and Huber Mill back on line; however, customers south of Houlton were without power,” Joles said.
By 1:49 p.m. power was restored to all MPS customers in the affected area, which included Oakfield, Ludlow, Island Falls, Patten and Sherman.
Presque Isle, ME
55
Clear
Houlton, ME
48
Clouds
Caribou, ME
57
Clear
Fort Kent, ME
50
Clear
Change Location
- Presque Isle
- Houlton
- Caribou
- Fort Kent
© 2025 Bangor Publishing Company.