Xcel Energy officials say they are considering "Public Safety Power Shutoffs” ahead of forecasted strong winds on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
The measure essentially turns off power to avoid potentially knocked-down powerlines from sparking a wildfire. The measure would leave some Front Range Coloradans temporarily in the dark.
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As of Monday, the National Weather Service is predicting wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour in the Fort Collins area. Similar conditions are expected south of there into Denver, with a risk of slightly stronger winds further south in the Colorado Springs area.
According to a press release from Xcel Energy, if the company does take measures to shut off the power, restoring it could take several hours to a few days. The slow restoration is necessary because, “crews must inspect lines and repair damage before they can be safely re-energized.”
A lawsuit blamed an Xcel Energy powerline for the Marshall Fire, which destroyed more than 1,00 homes and commercial buildings. The power company settled a related lawsuit for $640 million without admitting any fault. Since taking these extra measures during strong storms, they have faced some backlash from customers who requested more communication from the company. The state also launched an investigation.
Xcel Energy says it will reach out to customers who could be impacted ahead of any power shutoffs. Residents can also get updates on outages on the company’s website.
County officials are also preparing for the potential of strong winds and are taking steps to ensure they can respond if needed.
"The office of disaster management was given a heads up concerning the information, and immediately started to work to begin preparation efforts," said Vinny Montez. public information officer with the Boulder ODM and the Sheriff's Office. "We're in a good position to respond to it."
Both Xcel Energy's website and Boulder officials have advice on preparing for the chance of a power outage
"Get a go bag together - flashlight, extra water, food ready for your family - you know, if there's any durable medical equipment that needs to be charged up, having a plan in place if somebody's going to need to stay at another location," Montez said.
Other recommended items include a portable charger, a non-electric phone such as a landline, a manual can opener, and a first aid kit.
