AMARILLO, Texas (Mar. 17, 2025) – As dry weather patterns persist, Xcel Energy is gearing up for increased wildfire risk this week across our Texas and New Mexico service areas. We are notifying customers in specific regions that power may be turned off for public safety. High winds and low humidity are expected to peak on Tuesday, March 18, in areas where excessively dry conditions and abundant fire fuels heighten the risk of fast-moving wildfires.

Another Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) is likely to occur for approximately 1,600 customers in eastern New Mexico and in the South Plains region of Texas on Tuesday to reduce the risk of wildfire. While Xcel Energy expects this likely PSPS to affect fewer customers than the shutoffs implemented on March 14, the number of customers and regions affected could change as conditions evolve.

Customers can view our PSPS map to see if they may be affected. We will work to notify customers who may be affected as soon as possible if a PSPS becomes necessary. Xcel Energy encourages customers to be sure to update contact information and notification preferences in My Account.

“We understand the ongoing dry weather conditions have been challenging, and we know our customers have been feeling the impacts,” said Casey Meeks, Xcel Energy regional vice president of distribution operations. “Our crews worked throughout the weekend to restore power to all customers after Friday’s storm, and we are ready to do it again once conditions improve. The safety of our communities is top of mind for our crews, and your support means a lot to us.”

The region has experienced only 25-50% of its usual precipitation over the past two months, significantly heightening wildfire risks due to the persistent weather pattern typical of this time of year. As grasses and brush continue to green up across our Texas and New Mexico service areas, and as weather patterns change, wildfire risks should decrease along with the potential need for electric service interruptions.

Xcel Energy urges customers to prepare for potential power outages, especially those who rely on electric-powered medical equipment. The storm may cause significant damage to power lines, leading to additional outages, and it may take several days to restore power to all customers. Restoration efforts will commence once high winds and elevated fire risks have subsided. After a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), crews must patrol the entire line to repair any damage and ensure it is safe to restore power. We appreciate our customers' patience during this time.

Important tools for Xcel Energy customers

  • The website includes a PSPS map that customers can use to look up their address to find out whether they may experience a PSPS. The map will be updated as conditions change.

  • The status of current outages is tracked on the electric service outage map.

Public Safety Power Shutoffs likely; Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings activated

Xcel Energy uses weather forecasts and other data sources to determine the best course of action to protect public safety. High winds, low relative humidity and dry ground conditions are key factors in our risk models. We generate new models regularly and adjust operations accordingly to reduce wildfire risk.  

A PSPS is a measure of last resort where power is shut off to a targeted area for a limited time period, used only when the fire risk is exceptionally high, and other methods like Enhanced Power Safety Settings (EPSS) are not enough for public safety.

PSPS and EPSS are tools that can reduce wildfire risk and keep our customers safe. In a PSPS event, power is proactively shut off for safety, and it is not a step we take lightly. EPSS allows for power lines to remain in service during periods of elevated wildfire risk, with additional protection settings enabled. More background information is available on our website and this EPSS video.  

Due to the elevated risk of wildfire, Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) are active across our Texas and New Mexico service territory.  

  • When EPSS are activated, power lines can stop the flow of energy if an issue is detected, like a tree branch or other object touching the line.   

  • EPSS does not mean the company has proactively turned off a customer’s power. If there is an outage while these settings are activated, it is the result of an issue on the power line.   

  • Power will remain off until our crews can visually inspect power lines to make sure it is safe to turn them back on. This may mean that if an outage occurs, it could last longer. 

Both EPSS and PSPS are only used when temperature, wind speed, relative humidity and other available fuel sources indicate a high risk for wildfire. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to take steps to reduce wildfire risk and keep our communities safe. 

How customers can prepare, stay safe 

Stay Informed 

If outages occur, it’s important for customers to have access to the most recent updates about their power restoration. Customers should make sure their account information and communications preferences are up to date through the Xcel Energy website.  

The website hosts an outage map that displays information on the number of customers out and anticipated time for restoration when available. Customers can also stay informed by following Xcel Energy on Facebook and X.

Customers can also visit the PSPS Event website for more information.

Build a Home Emergency Kit 

Customers are encouraged to be prepared for an electric outage by keeping phones and other devices charged and building an outage kit with items that do not require electricity, including:  

  • Battery-powered radio   

  • Flashlights  

  • Batteries  

  • Backup phone chargers  

  • A phone that does not require electricity  

  • Non-electric alarm clock  

  • Bottled water and non-perishable food  

  • Manual can opener  

  • First aid kit  

  • Extension cords (for partial outages)  

  • Manufacturer’s instructions on how to manually open power-operated doors (e.g. garage doors)  

  • Xcel Energy phone numbers – (800) 895-1999 for residential or (800) 481-4700 for business  

As an important reminder to customers who have medical equipment that relies on electric service, please take steps to prepare a backup power supply in case outages do occur. We are contacting known medical customers in the area directly to inform them about forecasted severe weather and potential impacts. 

We are continually investing in and building out our systems to reduce the risk of wildfire and limit the size, scale and duration of potential power disruptions. More tips for how to prepare for an outage are available here. 

Report an Outage 

Customers can help Xcel Energy get a jump on power restoration by reporting outages. Customers have several ways to report outages:  

  • Via text by texting OUT to 98936 to report an outage, or text STAT to the same number to check the status of a power outage 

  • By calling 1-800-895-1999 and following the prompts—the automated phone reporting system lets customers report outages in less than 60 seconds.

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About Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is an industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices. For more information, visit xcelenergy.com or follow us on X and Facebook.