HomeSafetyWildfire safety and preventionEmergency Public Safety Power Shutoff

Emergency Public Safety Power Shutoff event update

🔺Nov. 10, 5:15 p.m. MST – Forecasted weather conditions have improved to the point that we have cancelled today’s Emergency Public Safety Power Shutoff warning for customers in Harriman and Curt Gowdy areas in Wyoming.

The combination of high wind speeds and low relative humidity can lead to conditions which make it unsafe to operate the electric grid. It was this combination of factors that prompted today’s Emergency PSPS warning. While conditions have improved and the PSPS warning has now been cancelled, we will continue to monitor conditions to help keep our customers and communities safe.

Learn more about our Emergency Public Safety Power Shutoff program at blackhillsenergy.com/psps. 

 

🔺Nov. 10, 1:00 p.m. MST – Elevated wildfire concerns have prompted us to issue an Emergency Public Safety Power Shutoff Warning for customers in the Harriman and Curt Gowdy areas, west of Cheyenne, which means that power will be proactively turned off starting at 4 p.m. to protect public safety and prevent wildfire.

We will only de-energize power lines in the PSPS risk areas serving Harriman and Curt Gowdy areas. For information about the areas impacted visit blackhillsenergy.com/outages.

 

🔺Nov. 10, 11:00 a.m. MST – Due to high fire-risk conditions forecasted today in the Harriman and Curt Gowdy areas, west of Cheyenne, Black Hills Energy has issued an Emergency Public Safety Power Shutoff Watch, meaning that the company may need to temporarily shut off power in the areas of Harriman and Curt Gowdy to mitigate the risk of electrical infrastructure becoming a source of wildfire ignition. During this watch period, approximately 350 customers in these areas west of Cheyenne are urged to prepare for the possibility of emergency power outages needed to protect public safety and prevent wildfire. 

“The safety of our customers, employees and communities is our highest priority,” said Wes Ashton, vice president of operations. “Our Emergency Public Safety Power Shutoff program, or PSPS, is a critical tool for wildfire prevention and used as a last-resort measure to protect lives and property and will only be activated in areas with elevated wildfire risk.” 

“We recognize that shutting off power, even to reduce wildfire risks, has broad impacts,” said Ashton. “We will do our best to provide as much advance notice as possible if an emergency power shutoff is likely to occur, by issuing a PSPS Warning. If conditions suddenly become hazardous, power may need to be shut off with little or no notice.” 

Black Hills Energy will inform impacted customers and communities before, during and after a potential Emergency Public Safety Power Shutoff event using a variety of methods including text messages, emails and phone calls. The company will also provide updates on the Black Hills Energy website to help keep the public informed throughout the PSPS event.  

If a power line is proactively de-energized during an Emergency Public Safety Power Shutoff, Black Hills Energy advises that the power will not be turned back on until conditions improve, crews have inspected power lines, and any necessary repairs are made. This process may result in outages lasting a few hours or a few days, depending on the location and extent of any damage.



How you can prepare

  • Keep your contact information up to date with Black Hills Energy so we can provide safety notifications and direct you to our website for helpful tips and resources. Visit blackhillsenergy.com/my-account.
  • Have a backup plan for medicine that needs to be refrigerated or medical equipment that is powered by electricity. This could mean finding a place to go during an outage or having a backup generator.  
  • Build an emergency kit and plan and share with friends and neighbors.
  • If you see downed powerlines, stay away and call 911. 

 

How to stay informed

Customers can view if they’re in an impacted area at blackhillsenergy.com/outages.

We’ll continue to provide updates to this webpage, media outlets, and social media. Customers are encouraged to make sure their contact information is up to date to receive phone calls, emails and text messages.