Xcel to shut power off for 55,000 customers for high wind, fire danger

Xcel will shut off energy to 55,000 Colorado clients throughout six counties for greater than 24 hours Saturday, citing the dangerous wind conditions and wildfire dangers this weekend.

Among the power firm’s clients in Boulder, Gilpin, Larimer, Douglas, Broomfield and Jefferson Counties will see deliberate outages beginning round 3 p.m. Saturday that may proceed by means of midday Sunday, according to an Xcel news release.

Xcel offers electrical energy and pure gasoline to 1.6 million clients throughout Colorado, together with cities and cities.

Site visitors lights could also be out as properly, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office on X. Deal with out lights like a four-way cease.

Outages could final past Sunday as a result of crews should bodily examine the powerlines earlier than turning them again on, Xcel said within the launch.

“Clients who use medical gear that depends on electrical service ought to take steps to arrange for prolonged outages,” the discharge said. “Quickly shutting energy off is meant to stop our electrical system from turning into the supply of a wildfire ignition.”

Xcel is facing hundreds of lawsuits after investigators concluded one of many firm’s powerlines helped spark the wind-driven Marshall hearth in Boulder County in 2021; the utility has disputed that conclusion.

Even with the deliberate outages, the high winds may damage electric equipment and trigger further outages of their very own, Xcel stated. Outages brought on by these winds could also be extra frequent and longer lasting than regular.

Xcel clients can check current outages online after 3 p.m.