Wildfire season officially starts June 1, and drought conditions are already forecasted, along with predictions of a warmer-than-usual summer.
Puget Sound Energy (PSE) wants our customers to be prepared, which is why we are hosting wildfire open house events throughout our service territory as well as a self-paced online option. During the open houses, PSE will provide information on their efforts to mitigate wildfire risks, address Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), and guide customers in preparing for potential extended outages during wildfire season.
Everyone is invited to the open houses, whether you live in the nearby area or not.
“As the state’s largest utility, PSE takes a comprehensive approach to the evolving risk of wildfires,” said Ryan Murphy, director of electric operations. “We work year-round to ensure safety while balancing the reliable delivery of energy to our communities. This year, there will be some new tools in the PSE tool belt as we try to help prevent wildfires.”
Customers may experience three different types of power outages:
- Enabling Enhanced Powerline Settings (EPS): During periods of elevated fire risk, PSE adjusts power line settings to increase sensitivity to potential hazards. If necessary, the system will automatically shut off power to mitigate the risk of fire ignition. These outages are unplanned, like those that occur during a storm, and could last several hours.
- Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS): In the event of extreme weather conditions, PSE may proactively turn off selected power lines to reduce the risk of wildfire. Customers will receive notifications before a PSPS, but power will only be restored after the weather has passed, lines are inspected, and any repairs are made. These outages could last several days if damaging winds occur.
- Reactive De-energization: PSE turns off power lines at the request of emergency officials during an active wildfire. These outages vary in length and are dependent on the fire.
Customers should be prepared for extended power outages in case of a wildfire emergency. PSE will only restore power when it’s safe to do so. We encourage customers to create a household emergency plan, build an emergency kit, and ensure your account contact information is up to date. Learn more about PSE’s wildfire preparedness here. You can also get a free Wildfire Ready Plan here.
