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Grid infrastructureUnited StatesEIR-0310

Transformer fire at Gonder Substation in Ely, Nevada prompts emergency response

Mar 2026Published 7 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor

MinorElectricalProvisional
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Where
Gonder Substation near Ely, Nevada
Owner
NV Energy
What
Transformer fire with visible smoke plume
Response
Local fire crews and Mt. Wheeler Power personnel attended
Outcome
No service outages anticipated

Companies named in the reporting of this entry (being named is not a finding of fault): Mt. Wheeler Power, NV Energy

What happened

A transformer fire occurred at the Gonder Substation near Ely, Nevada (White Pine County), with a visible fire and smoke plume seen from several miles away. Mt. Wheeler Power responded to the incident involving a transformer owned by NV Energy. Local fire crews and Mt. Wheeler Power personnel attended the site to manage the situation and ensure area safety. No service outages were anticipated as a result of the incident.

Traffic along U.S. Highway 93 near the substation was backed up due to emergency response activity, with motorists advised to use caution and expect delays. The utility stated it would continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information became available.

Lessons learned

  1. Transformer fires at substations can produce smoke plumes visible for miles, so operators should prepare timely public updates to limit concern.
  2. Emergency response at roadside substations can back up highway traffic, so operators should include traffic control in response plans.

More lessons on emergency response and public communication, from every incident on the register.

Not yet known

  • Cause of the transformer fire
  • Transformer model and age
  • Cost of damage and repairs

This entry is updated when these are reported. Get an alert for the next one like it.

Source

elynews.com

Published 2026-09-07. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.

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