Osoyoos area residents warned to reduce energy usage amid heat wave

Residents in the Osoyoos area should reduce energy consumption during peak hours through the long weekend to assure power isn't disrupted to the region.

With another heat wave settling in, sending temperatures near the 40 C range again, FortisBC says it needs customers to reduce consumption. Spokesperson Jas Baweja says transmission lines have been damaged and de-energized in the area and they're a little worried about maintaining energy to the region. 

"We can still deliver energy to customers in the Osoyoos area but not to the same capacity so we are just asking for some help from our customers," he says. 

Peak consumption is between 4 to 8 p.m. He suggests residents curtail air conditioning during that time, as well as pushing laundry and dishwashers off peak times. 

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