Public Safety Power Shutoff

The PSPS plan exists so we can take action to protect communities before extreme wildfire conditions cause harm.

Having this plan in place helps us:

• take action early when wildfire risk is extreme
• follow clear plans focused on safety
• give advance notice when possible
• keep customers informed
• restore power safely and as quickly as possible once conditions improve

A PSPS event would only be considered during periods of extreme weather, combined with extreme wildfire risk, not on a normal hot or dry day.

We would consider a PSPS event when both of the following conditions are met:

• a Fire Weather Index of 47 or more (a rating of more than 30 is considered extreme¹); and
• sustained wind speeds greater than 75 kilometres per hour

¹Natural Resources Canada, Fire Weather Index, Interactive Map.

During these conditions, the risk of wildfire is significantly higher. For example, strong winds can cause dry branches or debris to touch energized power lines, creating the potential for sparks that could start a fire.

The decision to implement a PSPS event is made by highly trained staff using:

• Environment Canada weather forecasts and warnings
• real-time weather data
• system information

We regularly assess our electricity service area to identify regions that are at the highest risk of wildfire. A PSPS event would be considered in those areas. Current highest risk areas include the following regions:

Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen:

• Tulameen
• Coalmont
• Apex
• Hedley
• select areas in Osoyoos
• rural areas outside of Osoyoos, Hedley, Princeton and Kaleden

Regional District of Kootenay Boundary

• Midway
• Greenwood
• Beaverdell
• Christian Valley
• Westbridge
• Rock Creek
• Bridesville
• Mount Baldy

Regional District of Central Kootenay

• north of Salmo through Ymir to Hall Riding

View the PSPS zone map in Google Maps.

The steps we generally follow when a PSPS event is considered, include:

1. We closely monitor weather forecasts, real‑time data and wildfire risk indicators.
2. We assess whether conditions meet PSPS threshold criteria and consider other factors, such as alternative mitigation strategies when appropriate.
3. If we decide to move forward with a PSPS event, we notify customers in advance when possible, recognizing that weather can change quickly.
4. Power is temporarily turned off on specific power lines in highest risk areas.
5. After the extreme weather event passes, crews manually inspect the affected lines for damage.
6. Power is restored quickly in areas where it's safe to do so, following detailed restoration plans. The PSPS event has ended.
7. Power remains off in areas where the weather has caused damage. Crews complete repairs.
8. After the PSPS event has ended, we continue to monitor weather forecasts and wildfire risk.

The length of a PSPS event depends on weather conditions and the time it takes our crews to manually inspect each affected power line. Extreme weather, such as high winds, can cause damage to power lines. As a result, some customers may lose power even before a PSPS event is initiated, or for some time after the PSPS event is over. Estimated restoration times will be posted to our electricity outage map once known.

To learn more about how and when we communicate with customers during a PSPS event, including the types of PSPS notifications and what each one means, visit our Top questions about Public Safety Power Shutoffs page.