A record-hot winter with little rainfall set Arizona up for a potentially hazardous wildfire season. The state’s largest electric utility is urging customers, especially those in rural areas, to be prepared.
If wildfire risk becomes extreme, Arizona Public Service may briefly shut off power in limited areas of some rural counties through its Public Safety Power Shutoff program. The program was introduced in 2024 and has never been used, but it would be a precautionary step the utility could take if conditions became so risky that a power line could potentially contribute to a wildfire, APS forestry and fire mitigation director Scott Bordenkircher said.
“It will consist of looking at relative humidity, fuel levels, wind speed in very, very specific areas, and then, if necessary, we would turn off power just to those areas that were experiencing that type of weather,” Bordenkircher said.
Customers can search their address on the APS website to find out if they live in an area that could potentially be impacted by a Public Safety Power Shutoff.
Bordenkircher said one of the most important things rural power customers can do ahead of wildfire season is check with the utility to make sure their phone number and email address are up-to-date so that the utility can easily contact them in an emergency.
“We want to make sure that we’re able to reach customers, that way we can let them know if anything is happening in their area,” Bordenkircher said.
Customers who rely on life-sustaining medical equipment can also register for additional alerts and assistance.
APS also recommends rural customers make a plan for emergencies and clear plants and debris from around their homes to reduce fire risk.
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