Through our wildfire mitigation program, CORE Protect, we are committed to the protection of our members, employees and system.
One of the key tools in wildfire risk mitigation is a public safety power shutoff (PSPS), in which CORE preemptively turns off powerlines during extreme weather conditions in specific areas to prevent potential fire ignition by damaged lines or equipment. CORE members served by lines affected by a PSPS will not have power restored until we patrol the lines and deem them safe to re-energize.
A PSPS is a last-resort measure we implement only when weather forecasts and critical burning conditions indicate an extreme risk of fire ignition. We understand the inconveniences presented by any service interruption, including a PSPS, and provide members as much advance notice and information as possible.
Visit our PSPS Events webpage, linked below, to check for any planned PSPS events.
Year-round
CORE monitors environmental conditions in order to be aware of extreme fire weather conditions, and checks daily weather forecasts for anticipated high-wind events.
When a high-wind event is forecasted in an area with extreme fire weather conditions, CORE leadership will determine whether a PSPS is necessary and begin making plans.
Ahead of a planned PSPS
At least two days (48 hours) ahead of a planned PSPS, CORE will attempt to contact affected members across all available communications channels. We also will post information regarding the planned PSPS, including a map of the affected area(s), to our PSPS Events webpage. We encourage members to confirm their contact information is up to date via the SmartHub account management platform to ensure delivery of PSPS-related communications. Please also provide gate codes for your property to expedite restoration of service.
During a PSPS
Lines in PSPS-affected areas will be de-energized (turned off) to prevent ignition of a wildfire. Affected members will not have power during this time. CORE will post updates to our PSPS Events webpage, including the expected duration of the PSPS, when available.
Following a PSPS
Once we have deemed conditions safe enough, field personnel will patrol lines to inspect for damage and other ignition risks. CORE will then contact affected members via phone, email, text message and/or SmartHub push notification to let them know the service restoration process has begun. Depending on issues found during line patrol, CORE will attempt to provide estimated restoration times for affected areas.
Again, we understand the inconvenience presented by loss of electric service, and appreciate your patience during any PSPS. Please refer to the questions and answers below to learn more about this important part of wildfire mitigation.
Why is a PSPS necessary?
When foreign objects such as trees damage or interfere with our powerlines, the resulting fault generates energy that could start a fire. This can happen so quickly that even the most advanced equipment cannot prevent it. A PSPS helps us prevent accidental fire ignition during extreme conditions that could lead to a catastrophic wildfire.
What factors are used to determine a PSPS will happen?
A PSPS may be necessary if extreme winds occur within a critical burning environment. Conditions such as severe drought and dry vegetation make the landscape ripe for fire. High winds not only increase the risk of damage to utility lines that could lead to ignition, but also drive wildfire spread beyond control.
How will I know if a PSPS is planned in my area?
CORE will attempt to notify affected members across all available communications channels starting two days (48 hours) before a planned PSPS event. You can also visit our PSPS Events webpage to check if a PSPS is planned for your area.
Will I always receive advance notice of a PSPS?
CORE will make every effort to contact affected members in the days prior to a PSPS event. We use the contact information associated with members’ accounts, and urge members to confirm their info is up to date to ensure we can reach them.
Where can I stay updated on a PSPS?
Our PSPS Events webpage will always have the most up-to-date information regarding planned and active PSPS events.
Does a PSPS affect CORE’s entire grid/system?
Not typically. We implement a PSPS as a last resort, and only in specific areas with weather forecasts and critical burning conditions that present an extreme risk of fire ignition.
How long does a PSPS event last?
The weather event that prompts a PSPS event will typically last several hours, but damage it causes can take far longer to repair. This means that affected areas could be without power for up to several days as we work to repair the damage and restore service.
How is a PSPS different from alternate relay settings?
When alternate relay settings (ARS) are enabled, the power stays on until a fault occurs on the line, at which point the lines turn off quickly and stay off until CORE field personnel can patrol them and determine they are safe to turn back on. During a PSPS event, CORE preemptively turns off the power before a fault occurs.
Though ARS are faster than normal settings and highly sensitive, a spark can still occur. During extreme burning conditions and high wind, just one spark can quickly develop into an uncontrollable fire. For that reason, there may be times during which it is safer to enact a PSPS and turn off powerlines ahead of extreme wind events and wait for conditions to improve.
How often will CORE activate a PSPS?
A PSPS is our last resort to mitigate wildfire risk and is reserved for only the most severe conditions. Because extreme wind events are infrequent and don’t typically occur in combination with severe drought, we expect our use of PSPS to be rare.
What other tools and technologies does CORE use to mitigate wildfire risk?
You can learn more about CORE Protect, our comprehensive wildfire mitigation program, on this webpage.
Does a PSPS mean my home or business is under threat of wildfire?
Not necessarily, but it does mean that conditions are present that increase the likelihood of extreme fire behavior. We urge members to monitor alerts from emergency management officials during such high-risk periods.
Do I need to evacuate my home or business during a PSPS?
Evacuate your residence only if you are directed to do so by emergency management officials.
Please note: During a PSPS, you will not have access to electricity at your residence from the event’s start until power has been restored — a period that could potentially last several days — so consider relocating to a safe area outside the PSPS area.
What can I do to prepare ahead of a PSPS?
We recommend you unplug appliances that are not surge-protected and remove perishable items from your refrigerator(s) and freezer(s).
If you cannot be without power for an extended period of time, consider seeking accommodations outside the PSPS area. Consider also purchasing a backup generator so you can power your home during a PSPS. If you already own a backup generator, keep it filled with fresh fuel or charged to full capacity.
Some of the additional tips on our Outage Preparedness webpage are applicable to a PSPS event.
It's not that windy at my house. Why am I included in the PSPS?
Much of our system is designed to delivery electricity in only one direction. This means that if a part of the line “upstream” from you is at high risk and needs to be turned off, the rest of the line “downstream” will be without power, as well.