CLIFTON, CO — Xcel Energy is warning customers in Mesa County and several other Colorado regions of potential proactive power shutoffs beginning Wednesday morning due to high wildfire risks.
The utility company announced that a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) may be implemented to reduce the risk of wildfires and support public safety. For some customers in Mesa, Garfield, and Pitkin counties, the shutoffs could begin around 9 a.m. MT on Wednesday, April 22.
An additional shutoff is planned to begin around 11 a.m. MT on Wednesday for some customers in Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Rio Grande, and Saguache counties.
Xcel Energy anticipates weather conditions will begin to improve around 7 p.m. on Wednesday evening. Utility crews will begin the process of restoring power to affected areas as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.
The company noted that it is also continuing to monitor a separate high wildfire risk event expected along the northern Front Range on Thursday, April 23.
Residents, especially those who rely on medical equipment that requires electricity, are urged to prepare for potential outages immediately. Customers can monitor the evolving situation and check the active outage map by visiting xcelenergy.com/wildfire