Each October, Fire Prevention Week encourages families and communities to take steps to prevent fires before they happen.
Most of us are familiar with fire prevention measures like smoke alarms, emergency plans and creating defensible space around our homes. At Xcel Energy, fire prevention also includes investments in technologies designed to reduce the risk of utility equipment starting a wildfire.
Preventing sparks during high-risk conditions
One of the technologies we use when certain risk criteria are met is called Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS).
Wildfires can start when dry vegetation, strong winds and an ignition source come together. During elevated wildfire risk conditions, EPSS makes our electric system more sensitive to potential issues that could create sparks. When EPSS detects conditions that indicate a safety concern, it can automatically shut off power much faster than under normal operating conditions.
Because EPSS are designed to respond more sensitively, it can result in additional outages, including in response to conditions that would not have caused an outage under standard operating conditions. Vegetation and wildlife contact or equipment damage can trigger a faster response when EPSS is active. This helps reduce sparks and protect people, property and communities during elevated wildfire risk conditions.
Safety and reliability go hand in hand
We’re continually working to improve our electric system to make EPSS-related outages less frequent while maintaining the safety benefits that EPSS provides.
We’re investing in equipment upgrades, system hardening, managing vegetation near power lines and advanced detection technologies. Collectively, these investments make it less likely that a power line will experience an issue that could cause a spark, reducing the likelihood of EPSS outages and improving safety and reliability for customers living in areas with elevated wildfire risks.
Safety and reliability are both critical to serving our customers, and by investing in our infrastructure and building a strong, more resilient electric system, we are supporting both.
Fire prevention takes all of us
This Fire Prevention Week, we’re reminded that preventing fires often means taking actions before danger is visible.
Just as homeowners can reduce fire risk for themselves and their families, utilities also play an important role in fire prevention. Whether it’s clearing vegetation around your home, or utility-based solutions like EPSS, all forms of prevention help protect people, property and communities. Because when it comes to fire safety, the best fire is the one that never starts.
