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TORONTO, May 24, 2012 /CNW/ - Yesterday, more than 100 Hydro One crew members were given access by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) to an area affected by the wild fires in the Kirkland Lake area in order to start rebuilding electrical structures that were destroyed by a fire that started Sunday, May 20, 2012.

Hydro One crews are currently assessing the nature and extent of damage on a line that serves two local mines. No residential customers are affected by the damage to Hydro One equipment at present. Initial aerial observations showed that approximately 40 electrical structures will need to be replaced.

"Hydro One's goal is to safely and quickly replace the structures. We continue to monitor the situation and will update the public on timing," said Len McMillan, Vice-president, Lines and Forestry, Hydro One. "We are in communication with the Mayor and the Ministry of Natural Resources to ensure that restoration is a coordinated effort with other emergency services."

Hydro One delivers electricity safely, reliably and responsibly to homes and businesses across the province of Ontario and owns and operates Ontario's 29,000 km high-voltage transmission network that delivers electricity to large industrial customers and municipal utilities, and a 121,000 km low-voltage distribution system that serves about 1.4 million end-use customers and smaller municipal utilities in the province. Hydro One is wholly owned by the Province of Ontario.