Denver Rockies Encounter Power Outages Amid Rising Fire Risk from Strong Winds

Xcel Energy is taking proactive measures to prepare customers in the Rocky Mountain region for potential preemptive blackouts. These actions aim to mitigate the risk of wildfires as strong, dry winds pose a threat to power lines.

The utility company announced that power shutoffs are likely to begin around noon on Wednesday, affecting customers in nine counties, including Denver. The region is currently experiencing a stretch of near-record warm weather combined with dry conditions, which heightens the risk of wildfires.

“It looks like a pretty formidable event,” stated Scott Kleebauer, a forecaster with the U.S. Weather Prediction Center. “It is going to be a pretty windy day across Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana.”

An Xcel representative mentioned on Tuesday that the company is still assessing the extent of the shutoffs and will continue to evaluate the situation throughout the day.

Once a practice primarily seen in California, utilities across the United States are increasingly opting to cut off electricity to prevent downed power lines and other equipment from igniting catastrophic wildfires. According to a 2024 report from Stanford University researchers, power companies serving approximately 24 million homes and businesses in the fire-prone western U.S. now have plans to proactively shut off electricity during peak fire danger.

High pressure over the Four Corners region, where Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico converge, is creating a stark contrast with low pressure across southern Canada. This weather pattern is expected to generate gusts of wind reaching up to 60 miles per hour (96 kilometers per hour) across the Rocky Mountains and through the Front Range. Such strong winds can shake power lines, increasing the risk of fires if they fall.

Historically, dry weather and high winds have led to devastating fires during this time of year. For instance, the Marshall fire, which ignited near Boulder on December 30, 2021, resulted in the destruction of over 1,000 homes and numerous commercial structures, tragically claiming two lives.

While weather conditions are anticipated to improve by Wednesday evening, Xcel warns that restoring power could take several hours or even days. Crews must inspect power lines and repair any damage before safely re-energizing the system.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Xcel Energy is taking proactive measures to prepare customers in the Rocky Mountain region for potential preemptive blackouts. These actions aim to mitigate the risk of wildfires as strong, dry winds pose a threat to power lines.

The utility company announced that power shutoffs are likely to begin around noon on Wednesday, affecting customers in nine counties, including Denver. The region is currently experiencing a stretch of near-record warm weather combined with dry conditions, which heightens the risk of wildfires.

“It looks like a pretty formidable event,” stated Scott Kleebauer, a forecaster with the U.S. Weather Prediction Center. “It is going to be a pretty windy day across Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana.”

An Xcel representative mentioned on Tuesday that the company is still assessing the extent of the shutoffs and will continue to evaluate the situation throughout the day.

Once a practice primarily seen in California, utilities across the United States are increasingly opting to cut off electricity to prevent downed power lines and other equipment from igniting catastrophic wildfires. According to a 2024 report from Stanford University researchers, power companies serving approximately 24 million homes and businesses in the fire-prone western U.S. now have plans to proactively shut off electricity during peak fire danger.

High pressure over the Four Corners region, where Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico converge, is creating a stark contrast with low pressure across southern Canada. This weather pattern is expected to generate gusts of wind reaching up to 60 miles per hour (96 kilometers per hour) across the Rocky Mountains and through the Front Range. Such strong winds can shake power lines, increasing the risk of fires if they fall.

Historically, dry weather and high winds have led to devastating fires during this time of year. For instance, the Marshall fire, which ignited near Boulder on December 30, 2021, resulted in the destruction of over 1,000 homes and numerous commercial structures, tragically claiming two lives.

While weather conditions are anticipated to improve by Wednesday evening, Xcel warns that restoring power could take several hours or even days. Crews must inspect power lines and repair any damage before safely re-energizing the system.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.