Chelan PUD warns of possible public safety power shutoff

WENATCHEE — Chelan PUD is asking residents and businesses in the greater Chelan and Manson areas to prepare for the possibility of a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) on Saturday, Aug. 1, if forecasted fire weather creates conditions that could lead to catastrophic wildfire.

The utility announced Friday that it is closely monitoring weather forecasts and may temporarily de-energize portions of its electrical system to reduce the risk of power lines sparking new fires during periods of extreme wind and dry conditions. Customers can determine whether their home or business falls within the potential shutoff area by entering their address at www.chelanpud.org/psps.

If conditions warrant a shutoff, Chelan PUD said power could be turned off beginning Saturday, Aug. 1, with outages potentially lasting as long as 24 hours. However, restoration will depend on weather conditions rather than the clock. Once high winds have subsided, utility crews must inspect power lines for fallen trees, wind-blown debris and other hazards before electricity can safely be restored. The inspection process itself may take anywhere from eight to 24 hours, depending on the extent of the area affected.

The utility emphasized that forecasts can change quickly and additional areas could be added with little notice. Customers are encouraged to monitor updates through Chelan PUD's website, email alerts, social media channels, local news outlets and partner agencies.

Chelan PUD is encouraging residents to prepare now by stocking drinking water, shelf-stable food, medications, cash, ice for coolers and fuel for their vehicles. Customers should also charge phones and other electronic devices ahead of time. Those with fiber internet service can maintain connectivity during an outage by connecting both their optical network terminal (ONT) and router to an uninterruptible power supply.

Anyone who relies on electrically powered medical equipment is urged to have an emergency backup plan. Chelan PUD also recommends enrolling in Chelan County's Access and Functional Needs Program and registering with the utility's Electrical Medical Needs Registry before an emergency occurs. More information is available at www.co.chelan.wa.us, while the utility's registry can be accessed at www.chelanpud.org/medform. Customers who need to update their contact information can do so at www.chelanpud.org/updateyourinfo to ensure they receive emergency notifications.

Chelan PUD said it will continue evaluating weather conditions and will announce whether a public safety power shutoff is necessary as forecasts become more certain.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media