Power Outages and Wildfire Risk: Xcel Energy Takes Precautionary Measures in Colorado

On Saturday, a power company in Colorado announced its decision to suspend power to approximately 55,000 customers due to the onslaught of strong winds across the state, raising concerns about potential wildfires.

Xcel Energy stated that customers in Boulder County and certain areas near Denver could expect power interruptions starting at 3 pm local time on Saturday, with the possibility of outages continuing until at least noon on Sunday. The company explained that it opted to proactively deactivate power lines to mitigate the risk of wildfire ignition, though it cautioned that the duration of outages might extend beyond the initial timeframe as workers need to conduct physical inspections of the power infrastructure.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a red flag alert for the Denver area until Sunday, forecasting wind gusts reaching up to 90 miles per hour under dry conditions.

The decision to cut power comes in the wake of previous incidents linking Xcel Energy to wildfire outbreaks, including the 2012 Marshall Fire that ravaged over 1,000 homes in Boulder suburbs. Moreover, the company recently acknowledged its role in causing the most severe wildfire in Texas history due to a damaged electricity pole.

Alerts Issued for Multiple States; Residents Urged to Prepare

According to the Storm Prediction Center, there is a heightened risk of new wildfires erupting and spreading rapidly, with particularly extreme fire conditions expected in parts of southeast Colorado, the Oklahoma Panhandle, and southwest Kansas.

Fire danger alerts have been issued for five states, including Texas, Colorado, and Oklahoma, indicating the elevated risk of wildfires. Over 2.9 million individuals reside in areas classified as “critical” for fire danger, while more than 77,000 people are situated in “extreme” risk zones.

Despite Xcel’s assertion that they made efforts to notify customers on Friday night, numerous homeowners in the outage zones reported receiving minimal notification.

Mike Raabe, a resident of Littleton, told 9News that he and his wife were alerted only four hours prior to the outage through an automated phone call. Raabe expressed concern over their reliance on electricity for medical reasons, stating that they panicked upon receiving the notification.

Xcel has advised customers who rely on medical equipment requiring electricity to prepare for potential prolonged power outages.

Meanwhile, the NWS has cautioned residents in areas experiencing strong winds to refrain from activities that could generate sparks and to stay indoors whenever possible. Furthermore, the NWS has warned against the use of outdoor stoves indoors for cooking or heating.