UPDATE, 3:10 PM – Black Hills Energy has sent an update regarding temporary public safety power shutoffs, saying “We have implemented a PSPS in the areas southeast of Hot Springs, into maverick Junction, Oral and Buffalo Gap. High winds and dry conditions continue to increase in that area. We are watching the weather closely and will begin restoration efforts as conditions improve”.
RAPID CITY, SD – Hazardous wind gusts and extremely dry conditions are creating very dangerous fire conditions today. To protect public safety, Black Hills Energy has issued an Emergency Public Safety Power Shutoff Warning to approximately 300 customers in the Southern Hills areas south and east of Hot Springs into Edgemont, including Provo and Ardmore. Unless conditions change, Black Hills Energy may proactively de-energize power lines in these areas beginning at noon today. Hazardous fire weather conditions for this Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) are forecasted from noon to 5 p.m.
The downtown areas of Hot Springs and Edgemont are not likely to be impacted. For information about the areas impacted by today’s PSPS, visit blackhillsenergy.com/outages.
Despite recent snow in the area, the windy conditions forecasted today will dry remaining moisture quickly, potentially leaving vegetation in the area as a prime fuel source for ignition.
Black Hills Energy will pre-stage crews in impacted areas to expedite the restoration process. Once hazardous fire weather conditions have passed, Black Hills Energy crews will patrol power lines to ensure they are safe to be re-energized. The restoration process is estimated to take a few hours.
“The safety of our customers, employees and communities is our highest priority,” said Wes Ashton, vice president of South Dakota and Wyoming Utilities. “We are activating the Public Safety Power Shutoff as a last resort emergency measure to prevent our electrical equipment from becoming a source of ignition during these hazardous conditions.”
Black Hills Energy will continue to keep impacted customers informed throughout this PSPS event through text messages, emails, and phone calls. More information is also available on Black Hills Energy’s website at blackhillsenergy.com/psps.
Black Hills Energy reminds everyone that customers outside the active Public Safety Power Shutoff area may also experience outages due to high winds, enhanced protection settings on our lines that help prevent wildfire ignitions when a fault is detected, or other factors. Outages may last longer than usual since we’ll need to inspect the lines to make sure they can be re-energized safely.
Important safety reminders
- If you see downed powerlines, stay away and call 911.
- Stay up to date by visiting blackhillsenergy.com/psps.
Learn more about Black Hills Energy’s Public Safety Power Shutoff program at
