PROVO, Utah - Smokestacks that have been a prominent part of the Provo skyline for decades will be demolished Sunday morning, according to Provo Power.
The north stack was erected in 1939 and the south stack went up 10 years later. The stacks were built to vent emissions, but, for several years, they have only served as a platform for telecommunications equipment. A recent study found that the stacks would probably fail even in a small earthquake, Provo Power said.
The stacks are set to be imploded Sunday morning and the countdown clock will begin at 7 a.m.
"They will set explosives toward the base of the smokestacks, and they will fall towards the southwest," said Kat Linford of Provo Power.
Residents nearby aren't required to leave the area, but they should still be cautious.
"They don't need to leave their homes, but if they chose to stay, they need to shelter in place, not look out the windows to see it happen," Linford said.
Linford said there is no danger the stacks will strike homes.
"That is not an option or a possibility in our minds," Linford said. "We've taken every precaution we can to make sure any debris that does fly is caught in dirt berms."
A lot of people are expected to watch the stacks come down. Provo Insider has some important details, including a map of the fall zone, road closures, and safe viewing areas.
The city's emergency alert system will sound 5 minutes before the charges go off Sunday morning, and the alert system will go off again when the countdown reaches 60 seconds. FOX 13 News will carry the demolition live on Good Day Utah Sunday morning.
