Some Washington utilities have launched Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) programs. Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) are a last-resort measure that utilities use to proactively shut off power to specific lines in high-risk areas during extreme fire weather, helping to reduce the number of wildfires sparked by electrical systems. PSPS are usually planned in response to environmental conditions and may include a notice 24-48 hours in advance of shutoff, depending how quickly environmental conditions change.
How utilities manage wildfire risk
Utilities see Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) as a last resort to reduce wildfire risk. They first use other measures such as clearing vegetation, strengthening equipment, and adjusting recloser settings.
A recloser is a piece of equipment that automatically restores power when a line is tripped, often by something like a tree branch. Reclosers usually help keep power on because they avoid long outages while crews inspect and fix the line. But during fire weather, if a recloser turns the power back on when it isn’t safe, like when a branch is still on the line, it can spark a fire.
To lower this risk, many utilities adjust recloser use based on fire danger: more automation when fire risk is low, less when it is high. This can cause unexpected power shutoffs in high-risk conditions, even without a PSPS warning.
Utility notifications
Utilities must follow Incident Command procedures and notify local emergency managers and our office if they may shut off power. They aim to give at least 48 hours’ notice, though this depends on how quickly conditions change.
To communicate risk, utilities often use terms similar to weather alerts to show how likely a shutoff is. Not all utilities use every category, but you may see language like this:
| Type | Timeframe | Notification message | Audiences | Communication Channels | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watch | 48-72 hours | Power outage is possible | Emergency and community response partners, critical facilities | Phone calls, emails | |||||||||||
| Warning | 24-48 hours | Power outage is possible based on current weather forecast | Medical life support customers, potential impacted customers | Phone calls, automated notifications, website, outage map, opt-in notifications, media, social media channels | |||||||||||
| Probable outage | 12 hours | Power outage is probable in your area at [date/time]. Please take steps to prepare | All audiences | webpage, outage map, media and social media | |||||||||||
| Scheduled outage | 1-4 hours | PPSPS power outage is scheduled to start in your area at [date/time]. Please take steps to prepare | All audiences | All channels | |||||||||||
| Outage updates | 0 hours and every 12 hours | Your power has been shut off. [Status update] | All audiences | All channels, with estimated time of restoration on outage map | |||||||||||
| Restoration updates | After “weather all clear” and every 12 hours | We are working to restore your power. Check the Outage Map for estimated time of restoration. | All audiences | All channels, with estimated time of restoration on outage map | |||||||||||
| Power restored | When power is back on | Your power has been restored | All audiences | All channels | |||||||||||
| Cancellation | As needed | The PSPS power outage has been canceled due to improving environmental conditions. | All audiences | All channels |
How to prepare for outages
- Use Watch Duty to keep an eye on fires in your area.
- Sign up for the National Weather Service Alerts to monitor for Red Flag Warnings, which indicate that the utility is considering a PSPS event.
- Use the Department of Ecology’s Smoke Map to stay current with air quality. Their website also has good ways to prepare for poor air quality.
- Prepare an outage kit. Here are some examples:
- Sign up for alerts if your utility provides them.
Consult the fact PSPS sheet (PDF) for more details.
Wildfire resources
- Community Wildfire Protection Plans | Department of Natural Resources
- Community Wildfire Resilience Resource Library | Department of Natural Resources
- Electric Retail Service Territories | Geospatial Management Office
- Find out how high your wildfire risk is | FEMA Geospatial Resource Center
- Harstine island fire adapted community is bringing community wildfire resilience to the west side, island-style
- Utility Wildland Fire Prevention Advisory Committee | Department of Natural Resources
- Washington Utility Wildfire Mitigation Plans (DNR)
- Wildfire Resources | Department of Natural Resources
About Energy Resilience and Emergency Management
The Energy Resilience and Emergency Management team leads the Utility Wildfire Mitigation Program and serves as the state’s expert on wildfire risks affecting electric utilities. We consult with firefighters, county and tribal safety officials, and local community members who want to prepare for power outages and support their utilities in grant opportunities or other planning and mitigation projects.