Xcel Energy may shut off power to Western Slope customers on Thursday as a wildfire precaution

Xcel Energy is warning customers in western Colorado that the company may shut off power on Thursday as a precautionary measure to prevent power lines and other electrical equipment from starting wildfires across the region that could create dangerous fire conditions.

The precautionary power outages could occur in Garfield and Mesa counties. They could be carried out by an automated system that cuts power to parts of the grid when it detects safety issues, such as a tree branch touching a power line. Alternatively, larger manual power outages, known as public safety power outages, could be carried out.

The National Weather Service in Grand Junction says dry air moving into the region ahead of an expected cold front, along with strong winds and dry vegetation, could create “critical” wildfire conditions Thursday.

Manually shutting down parts of the power grid is the “last resort” to prevent a wildfire and would only be done under extremely dangerous conditions, Xcel Energy spokesman Tyler Bryant wrote in an email.

“The company does not believe that the situation currently justifies such action, but recognizes that the situation could worsen,” he said.

Xcel Energy, the state's largest electric utility, shut down its grid for the first time in April as a wildfire precaution, leaving 55,000 customers in the Front Range without power. Many customers were surprised by the preemptive shutdown, which CEO President Robert Kenney admitted was not properly communicated beforehand.

Preemptive shutdowns are becoming increasingly common in wildfire-prone western states, where power lines have sparked deadly and devastating wildfires across the region. Investigators have linked Xcel Energy's power facilities to one of two fires they believe gave rise to the 2021 Marshall Fire, the most devastating ever recorded in Colorado. The utility denies that connection.

Customers can prepare for potential power outages by keeping phones and other devices charged and putting together a “blackout kit.” Residents who rely on powered medical equipment should also be prepared for power outages and can sign up for additional alerts from Xcel Energy.