Xcel Energy announced on April 20 that it is preparing for high wildfire risk in parts of western Colorado and the San Luis Valley due to strong winds, low humidity, and very dry conditions expected on Wednesday, April 22. The company said these weather patterns could also affect the northern Front Range on Thursday, April 23.
The announcement comes as historically low snowpack and unseasonably warm temperatures have created conditions favorable for large wildfires. According to Xcel Energy, a possible Public Safety Power Shutoff may begin around 9 a.m. Wednesday for some customers in Garfield, Mesa, and Pitkin counties, with additional shutoffs around 11 a.m. in Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Rio Grande, and Saguache counties. The US Drought Monitor reports much of this area is experiencing “extreme” to “exceptional” drought following a record warm and dry winter. A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for the San Luis Valley.
After severe weather passes—expected to improve after 7 p.m. Wednesday—crews will restore power as soon as it is safe. However, restoration may take several hours or even days because each line must be inspected before being re-energized; rural or mountainous areas could experience longer outages.
Customers who rely on electric-powered medical equipment are urged to prepare backup power supplies ahead of potential outages. Xcel Energy stated that Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings will be activated across Colorado during this period; these settings make lines more sensitive so they can instantly stop energy flow if an issue like debris contact is detected. Outages resulting from these settings require visual inspection before power can be restored.
The company uses weather forecasts and data models—including wind speed, humidity levels, and ground fuel dryness—to determine actions needed to protect public safety during wildfire risks. As forecasts improve closer to the event date, Xcel Energy expects it may reduce both the area affected by potential shutoffs and the number of impacted customers.
Xcel Energy encourages all customers to update their contact information online or through its mobile app so they can receive timely updates about outages or restoration times. Customers are also advised to build home emergency kits with essentials such as battery-powered radios and flashlights in case of extended outages.
