AMARILLO, Texas (Mar. 1, 2025) – Xcel Energy is preparing for critical wildfire risks early next week across our New Mexico and Texas service territories. We are currently monitoring conditions and evaluating the potential of shutting down power in affected areas for public safety. Weather forecasts include high wind speeds and low humidity in parts of New Mexico Monday, March 3 and in certain areas of Texas Tuesday, March 4. When combined with excessively dry conditions and an abundance of dead or dry brush and trees, wildfire risk is expected to increase.

We encourage customers to make plans now for potential power outages, especially if they use medical equipment that relies on electric service. As we prepare to perform a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) in targeted areas if needed, we are staging employees to get the lights back on if customers lose power during this week’s extreme weather and elevated wildfire risk. The company is also sharing tips customers can use to stay safe, report outages and be informed during this event.

“The safety of the public is paramount, and we are taking necessary steps so that our customers and communities are protected from wildfire risk,” said Adrian J. Rodriguez, President, Xcel Energy – Texas, New Mexico. “We will continue to monitor and will be in close communication with our public safety partners and customers as the situation evolves.”

Public Safety Power Shutoff possible; Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings expected to be 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 update our models regularly and adjust our operations accordingly to reduce wildfire risk.

A PSPS is a risk mitigation option where power is shut off to a targeted area for a limited time period when wildfire risks are extremely high. It is a tool used only when the fire risk is exceptionally high, and other methods like Enhanced Power Safety Settings (EPSS) are not enough for public safety. We will work to notify customers who may be affected as soon as possible if a PSPS becomes necessary.

While Public Safety Power Shutoffs are possible in portions of New Mexico and Texas, currently, the company’s wildfire risk models indicate that conditions might not warrant a Public Safety Power Shutoff in New Mexico. However, conditions may change, so we encourage customers to be prepared.

A Public Safety Power Shutoff is more likely to occur in portions of our Texas service area. The company will continue evaluating the potential need to turn off power for some Texas customers as a public safety measure, starting the morning of March 4. Xcel Energy will continue to share updates on the forecast.

If a Public Safety Power Shutoff is needed or there are weather-related outages across our system, power restoration efforts will begin after high winds and elevated fire risks have ended. Crews must patrol the entire line during these events to ensure it’s safe, which could take hours or days to return service, and we appreciate customers’ patience.

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. This 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, we expect to activate Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) across our Texas and New Mexico service territory beginning Sunday, March 2.

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