EPSS and PSPS are only used when the temperature, wind speed, relative humidity and available fuel sources indicate an elevated or extreme risk for wildfires.

Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings

Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) allow power lines to remain in service during periods of high wildfire risk with additional protection settings enabled to enhance public safety.

When EPSS are activated, power lines are more sensitive and can stop the flow of energy more quickly if an object touches the line.

We consider fire weather and environmental conditions and forecasts when deciding to use EPSS. Learn more about EPSS in this video.

• On standard settings, if a fault is present – for example, a tree branch falls on a power line – the power line will reset automatically to restart the flow of electricity if the fault is no longer present.
• On EPSS, if a fault is present, the line remains de-energized until crews can patrol the area to ensure it is safe to restore service.
• Customers impacted by EPSS may experience more frequent or longer outages.

Public Safety Power Shutoffs

During extreme or critical wildfire risk conditions, or if we’re working near active wildfires, we may need to temporarily turn off electric service to customers in targeted area. This is a risk reduction strategy known as Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). Proactively shutting off the power is not a step we take lightly. We consider weather , wind speeds, relative humidity, fuel moisture, and temperature as well as critical customers and infrastructure before deciding to implement a PSPS. We work closely with our customers and communities to educate them about PSPS events, help them prepare and connect them with available resources.  

We start communicating with customers when the forecast includes extreme weather that may require a PSPS.

After a PSPS. our number one priority is to restore power safely and quickly.

When a PSPS occurs, restoration efforts can only begin after high winds and elevated wildfire risk have subsided. Power restoration may take multiple hours to days because we must visually inspect lines to ensure they are safe to be reenergized.

We are committed to continuous improvement and working to identify opportunities to reduce the frequency, duration, extent and number of customers impacted by PSPS events.

• Learn more about PSPS.
• Check for active PSPS events.

https://co.my.xcelenergy.com/s/outage-safety/wildfires/preventative-measures