Xcel Energy announced on March 12 that it is preparing for continued strong winds and a high risk of wildfires in Colorado through the weekend, with critical fire weather conditions expected to peak on Saturday, March 14. The company said crews are currently addressing power outages caused by high winds, which have left about 18,000 customers without electricity in areas including Fort Collins, Evergreen, and Boulder.
The elevated wildfire risk is due to a combination of severe drought, low humidity, dry ground fuels, and historically low snowpack. Xcel Energy said these factors increase the likelihood of fast-spreading wildfires and potential damage to power lines. The National Weather Service has issued Red Flag Warnings through Friday evening and a Fire Weather Watch for Saturday.
To reduce wildfire hazards, Xcel Energy has activated Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) along much of the Front Range. These settings make power lines more sensitive so they can instantly stop the flow of energy if an issue is detected. The company is also evaluating whether a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) will be needed for some customers in Boulder and Jefferson counties on Saturday. “These settings do not mean the company has proactively turned off a customer’s power. If there is an outage while these settings are activated, it is the result of an issue on the power line,” Xcel Energy said.
Customers are encouraged to prepare for possible outages by keeping devices charged and assembling emergency kits with items such as battery-powered radios, flashlights, bottled water, non-perishable food, and backup phone chargers. Those who rely on medical equipment powered by electricity are advised to have backup power supplies ready.
Xcel Energy said it will continue monitoring weather forecasts and update its operations as needed to protect public safety. The company plans to provide another update on weather conditions and wildfire mitigation efforts on Friday.
