A masked animal bandit was the culprit that led to about a four-hour power outage early Tuesday morning for more than 2,900 Yampa Valley Electric Association customers.

“We had 2,905 members out, starting at roughly 12:45 a.m.,” said Carly Davidson, YVEA public relations specialist. “It sadly was caused by a raccoon getting into the substation. We started getting power turned back on for people around 3:45 a.m., with the last meter turned on at 5 a.m.”

Davidson said the raccoon incident occurred at the substation across from Steamboat Springs Airport. The outage area went roughly from the Steamboat Springs Community Center stretching west to Milner.

“What usually happens with animals in a substation is that they just come into contact with our equipment,” Davidson said. “When you’re dealing with such high voltage in a substation, all it takes is a small amount of contact for it to be fatal for the animal. The animal most likely completed a circuit, which allowed high voltage to flow through the animal.”

Davidson said YVEA works to keep animals out of substations by putting sheet metal toward the top of the perimeter fencing.

“Unfortunately, we are dealing with very clever creatures who will find a way to get in no matter the prevention we put into place,” Davidson said.

Information about ongoing power outages is available at YVEA.com/outages-safety/outage-center.