Lights were out in much of the mountain communities this morning.  Southern California Edison says the power was officially out between 4:26 and 9:09, even though some areas may have been restored sooner.

The incident was caused by the snapping of a guide wire/cable that then hit a 12,000 volt Edison distribution line.  The cable is used to help support a power pole.  The wire snapped when a driver somehow ran a car into a power pole.

Areas effected, according to Edison, included Gorman, Frazier Park, Lake of the Woods, Pine Mountain Club and Leona Valley near Lancaster / Palmdale.  Residents of Pinon Pines and Cuddy Valley reported they were likewise without power.  John Hoyt of Denny's in Lebec said they had a brief power loss for only a few minutes.  He thought this occurred around 7 AM.