Wildfire preparedness
How PSE prepares
Wildfires have emerged as a growing public safety concern for much of the Western United States. We are taking a comprehensive approach to mitigating the evolving risk of wildfires, working to ensure safety while maintaining the reliable delivery of energy.
Many of our wildfire-related actions also help protect our system from other hazards, like high winds and winter storms. Other steps are unique to wildfires.
Our latest Wildfire Mitigation and Response Plan for 2022 outlines our year-round efforts to prepare for, and help prevent, wildfires in PSE's service area. As a part of our plan, we're inviting communities at a higher risk for wildfires to discuss our mitigation plan and future tools under consideration. This includes the possibility of proactively turning off power during high-risk weather conditions, known as Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS).
Join us at a community town hall
Roslyn, Ronald, and Cle Elum residents, please join us for a virtual community town hall to learn more and provide your input. During this online Zoom event, we’ll share how PSE is preparing the electric system for wildfires and obtain your input on PSE’s potential use of a PSPS during high-risk wildfire conditions. You can also share your thoughts during the event’s facilitated feedback sessions, and our Wildfire Mitigation and Response team will be there to answer your questions. We look forward to hearing from you!
Date: Wednesday, June 8
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Online via Zoom. Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUrcuuoqDkpH9JGYCbPIz0hOFDWM3yBIUd0
Can’t make it to the meeting? You can share your feedback using the online comment form below, or by emailing wildfire.response@pse.com.
Please let us know if you’re facing barriers to participation and need accommodations to take part fully in the June 8 town hall.
What is a Public Safety Power Shutoff?
During high-risk weather conditions, PSE may need to proactively turn off power lines to help prevent wildfires. This is called a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS).
PSE understands that losing power can create significant inconvenience and hardship for customers. We would turn off power only in emergencies, and would like to help customers prepare for this situation. We’re engaging with communities now to get feedback as we develop plans to use a PSPS in the future.
PSE resources
While we are getting ready for wildfires, customers can do the same with resources from Washington State’s Department of Natural Resources.
What customers can do
While we are getting ready for wildfires, customers can do the same with resources from Washington State’s Department of Natural Resources.