CAL FIRE Rescues Person After Colgate Powerhouse Penstock Rupture; Massive Power Outage Affects Nevada County and Region

A critical infrastructure failure at the Colgate Powerhouse near Dobbins, Yuba County on February 13, 2026 has triggered a regional emergency response, power outages affecting tens of thousands of customers across Nevada County and surrounding areas, and environmental concerns along the Yuba River.

The Incident

At approximately 3 p.m. on February 13, the penstock—a large water pipe carrying water from Bullards Bar Reservoir to the Colgate Powerhouse—ruptured catastrophically. The failure released debris, industrial materials, and contaminated water into the North and Middle Yuba River and flooded the adjacent PG&E Colgate switching station.

Rescue Operation

One individual was initially reported unaccounted for following the rupture. CAL FIRE Nevada Yuba Placer Unit responded with a helicopter and technical rescue team. According to CAL FIRE's update at 6:18 p.m., the unaccounted individual was successfully rescued by CAL FIRE helicopter and transported to a local hospital. All personnel were ultimately accounted for.

Incident Commander reports indicated the use of drones, helicopters, and the CAL FIRE Technical Rescue Team in the unified command operation, which included the Yuba County Sheriff's Office and Dobbins Fire Department.

Power Outages and Regional Impact

The penstock failure flooded PG&E's Colgate substation, leaving more than 15,000 customers without power across Nevada, Yuba, Sierra, and Butte counties. According to PG&E's updates:

• At 6:15 p.m., approximately 7,000 customers had power restored
• By 9:15 p.m., power was restored to most customers able to receive service
• Approximately 400 customers in the Pike community remained without power due to significant damage from the flood

Nevada County residents were significantly impacted by these outages. Emergency support was provided through a Community Resource Center at Camptonville Community Center and grab-and-go bags distributed at Pike City Firestation.

Environmental Concerns

The rupture caused severe environmental damage to the Yuba River. A witness at Rice's Crossing described the incident: "Approximately 3:10pm I heard the water rising quickly, maybe two feet. Suddenly there was debris flow, and the water turned muddy. Next thing, there were hundreds of objects floating down the river, including 55 gal drums, crates of all types, and even a large ice machine. The water stunk and fish were dying on the shore. There was a sheen of oil on the water."

Response and Containment

Yuba Water Agency, the operator of the facility, immediately implemented emergency response measures:

• Isolated the penstock to prevent further water release
• Engaged Clean Harbors, an environmental mitigation company
• Coordinated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to contain debris
• Positioned boats on Englebright Lake to capture large debris ahead of forecasted storms
• Implemented a water quality monitoring plan

The agency urged the public to avoid Lake Francis Road and to stay out of the North and Middle Yuba River between the powerhouse and Englebright Lake due to hazardous debris and contaminated water.

Impact on Fish and Wildlife

The Yuba River Restoration League (SYRCL) documented significant ecological damage, including numerous dead salmon fry in the lower Yuba River. The organization conducted field sampling on February 14 to assess water quality impacts.

Investigation and Recovery

Geotechnical engineers conducted preliminary aerial surveys and planned ground assessments to identify safe access routes and determine the cause of the failure. Yuba Water Agency continues investigating the cause of the rupture.

The incident underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in the Sierra Nevada foothills and its potential impact on the regional power grid and water resources.