APS shuts off some power in Flagstaff, Grand Canyon due to wildfire risk

Arizona Public Service shut off power "in limited areas in and around Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon" on Saturday, June 27, according to a press release.

The outage is due to severe fire risk conditions.

The release said restoration is estimated for Sunday afternoon, depending on weather conditions.

The utility earlier said the outage could affect 8,000-10,000 customers in northern Arizona and power cutoffs could last for 12 to 24 hours.

APS previously said communities that could be affected included:

• Doney Park
• Timberline
• Fernwood
• Mormon Lake
• Cosnino
• Sunset Crater
• Fort Valley/Baderville
• Walnut Canyon
• Valle
• Some east Flagstaff neighborhoods
• Tusayan
• Grand Canyon National Park — South and East Rims

Forecasts show high wind, low humidity and dry terrain that could lead to increased fire risk near power lines this weekend.

At Grand Canyon National Park, visitors will be able to purchase park passes at entrance stations as long as backup power systems remain operational, but park officials said visitors should come prepared. That means downloading maps and other important information before arriving and ensuring that phones and other electronic devices are fully charged.

Ice and water distribution centers

Flagstaff Mall (Northeast corner of the parking lot) 4650 US-89 N, Flagstaff, AZ 86004

Friday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Saturday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Sunday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Grand Canyon 1575 Shuttle Bus Rd., Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023

Friday: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Mormon Lake Fire Station 1067 Mormon Lake Rd, Mormon Lake, AZ 86038

Friday: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sunday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Baderville 8005 N. Snowbowl Rd.

Saturday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Sunday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Cooling centers

Sinagua Middle School 3950 E. Butler Ave., Flagstaff, AZ 86004

Open Saturday 10 a.m. to Sunday 6 p.m.

(OVERNIGHT SITE)

Grand Canyon National Airpark 1542 Liberator Drive, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86013

Open Saturday 10 a.m. to Sunday 6 p.m.

(OVERNIGHT SITE)

Murdoch Community Center 203 E Brannen Ave., Flagstaff, AZ 86001, 928-226-7566

Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

APS suggests the following when an outage is in effect:

• Visit a cooling station if you cannot maintain safe conditions at home and check on friends and neighbors, especially those who live alone and may be more vulnerable to the heat. For cooling shelter locations, customers can visit the APS Outage Map. Shelters will be equipped with resources such as Wi-Fi and phone and medical device charging.
• Flagstaff’s Murdoch Community Center (203 E. Brannen Ave.) will be open to residents impacted by the PSPS from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to get information, charge medical devices, phones or small electronics, refrigerate medicine, or grab a bottle of water.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to keep food and perishable items cold. Ice distribution information will be available on the APS Outage Map.
• Unplug all unnecessary equipment and appliances to prevent electrical spikes. Wait at least five minutes after the power returns to turn on major appliances and equipment.
• If you see a downed line, stay at least 100 feet away, call 911 and then call APS.
• Residential customers affected by this PSPS outage can be reimbursed for the purchase of up to 40 pounds of bagged ice OR 20 pounds of dry ice to help preserve food. Additional information about APS’s reimbursement process is available at aps.com/icereimbursement.

Flagstaff shared these tips:

• APS is distributing free frozen ice at the northeast corner of the Flagstaff Mall Parking Lot (4650 N US Hwy 89) on Friday, June 26 from 10 a.m.–7 p.m. and on Saturday, June 27 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check the APS outage map for updates on additional resources such as ice distribution and cooling centers as they become available.
• Temporary impacts to some streetlights and traffic signals.
• The reclaimed water station at the Wildcat Hill Water Reclamation Plant (2800 N El Paso Flagstaff Rd) will be out of service. Reclaimed water users can use the reclaimed water stations at the Rio de Flag Water Reclamation Plant (600 S Babbitt Drive). A reclaimed water station map is located on the Water Haulers webpage.
  

Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon officials shared a preparedness checklist and will send alerts via the Everbridge platform.

Flagstaff saw a temporary power shutoff from APS in April. The utility launched its shutoff program in 2024, but only started using the outages this year.