A Public Safety Power Shutoff is a planned outage. When hot, dry and windy weather raises the risk that power lines could spark a wildfire, some utilities turn off electricity in high-risk areas until the danger passes. They are most common in California and other western states, usually in late summer and fall.
How long do shutoffs last?
A shutoff lasts as long as the dangerous weather, plus the time it takes crews to inspect every line before turning the power back on. That can mean a few hours or several days.
How you’ll find out
- Utilities generally try to warn customers ahead of time by text, call or email, but notice can be short when weather changes quickly.
- Make sure your utility has your current phone number and email.
- If someone in your home relies on powered medical equipment, ask your utility about its medical-needs program.
Get ready now
- Plan backup power for anything you can’t go without, like a CPAP, refrigerated medicine or a well pump.
- Learn how to open your garage door by hand.
- Keep your car’s tank at least half full, since gas pumps need power too.
- Keep a printed copy of the 72-hour outage plan handy.
Get ready before the lights go out
Print our free 72-hour outage plan and checklists, then find the backup battery that can run what matters in your home.
Official sources
- Ready.gov: Wildfires
- Ready.gov: Power outages
- Your local electric utility’s outage and shutoff page