Every summer, wildfires are a threat to our homes, farms, businesses, and forests. They can also cause power outages, and in extreme circumstances Idaho Power might temporarily shut off power as a last resort in some areas to keep our customers, employees, equipment, and the public safe. We want to make sure you’re prepared, and know the ways Idaho Power is working to reduce wildfire risks.
Wildfires can damage electrical equipment and cause outages. Know how to prepare for outages, like by building an outage kit, and where to go to stay informed. Learn more.
Tips for Vulnerable Customers
Review our outage preparedness and outage response recommendations for vulnerable populations, such as those requiring refrigerated medication or life support systems. Learn more.
More Information
Get answers to some of our most commonly asked questions, including about public safety power shutoffs. Learn more.
Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS)
A public safety power shutoff, or PSPS, is when a company like Idaho Power temporarily turns off power to an area where wildfire risk is high due to extreme weather conditions. A PSPS can help keep our communities safe. The outage is an effort to prevent sparks that could start a fire if high wind blows debris into our lines or causes other damage. A PSPS is a last resort to prevent wildfires, and it’s an important tool in decreasing wildfire risk and keeping our communities safe.
As part of our constant work to deliver safe, reliable, affordable energy to your home or business, Idaho Power has developed a wildfire mitigation plan. This plan helps us prepare for and respond to wildfires.
How We Protect the Grid and Reduce Wildfire Risk
We work hard year-round to protect poles and other equipment from wildfire and reduce fire risk. Protecting the grid starts with installing high-quality equipment that meets or exceeds industry standards. We regularly inspect and maintain that equipment. We’re also investing in improvements to protect the grid and customers from wildfires.
Powerline Sensitivity Settings
During wildfire season, for the safety of our communities, Idaho Power sometimes increases the sensitivity settings of powerlines in wildfire-prone areas. These lines will not try to automatically re-energize if something causes an outage. This change helps reduce the risk of sparks causing a fire in dry, hot weather. While this could lead to more frequent outages for some customers, it’s an important temporary measure to reduce wildfire risk during the peak of wildfire season.
