2 years ago
BUTTE COUNTY, CA - Thousands of Butte County residents were without phone service, including 911 Wednesday and it was unclear when the emergency line would be restored, Butte County authorities said.
As many as 25,000 people in the Magalia Ridge-Paradise area lost phone service, possibly due to downed lines from two wildfires on Pentz Road near Lago Vista Way that broke out Wednesday, Butte County sheriff's Sgt. Steven Boyd said.
With no working 911 service, extra deputies and volunteers manned the Magalia substation at 14166 Skyway Wednesday evening to handle walk-in reports.
Boyd said AT&T was aware of the problem and working to fix it, but it was not immediately known when phone service would be restored.
Authorities were investigating what started Wednesday's fires. Boyd said deputies were looking for someone seen near the fires who could provide valuable information.
The man was described as in his 50s with a full bushy brown and grey beard wearing a dark-colored shrit and driving an older, sunbleached red Toyota pickup.
News10/KXTV
