WILDFIRES
Public Safety Power Shutoff Watch Issued In Southwestern Utah
May 20, 2021, 7:49 PM | Updated: May 21, 2021, 8:25 am
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – With drought conditions ripe for wildfires in Utah this year, Rocky Mountain Power is warning residents their power could be cut as a precaution.
A public safety power shutoff watch is in place through Friday in Iron and Washington counties with a close eye on Cedar City, Enterprise, Dixie and Milford.
Rocky Mountain Power put people on notice in those areas in case outages are necessary.
“We have risks in the winter and the summer,” said David Eskelsen with RMP.
Fire season is full steam ahead and the power company already started to warn customers about the possibilities of wildfires igniting and knocking out power.
Forecasted high winds and fire weather conditions have us prepared to respond in the event of any outages caused by these conditions. Rocky Mountain Power has prepared additional resources and is taking extra safety precautions during this time. Info at https://t.co/VCog9Y0LdV.
— Rocky Mountain Power UT (@RMP_Utah) May 21, 2021
“We want people to know that we are prepared for what could happen,” Eskelsen said.
RMP’s in-house meteorologist has kept the company’s team updated on what could happen.
RMP also prepared by updating technology to their lines so they “sense bad things” and flip off power quickly.
If intense weather or fire rolls through and wrecks a line, Eskelsen said the sensors will protect homes from damage.
He said now is the time to plan for the possibility of outages.
“We follow the recommendations from the emergency management of having a plan for 72 hours without power,” Eskelsen said.
RMP suggested customers make sure they have a phone number attached to their account. Cell phones are best in case of an outage.
Click here to see if you are in a public safety power shutoff area.
