Wildfire preparedness

November Wind Storm

Letter to our customers

To our customers without power: we know you are frustrated. The limited information we have been able to provide on-line, and the fact that you do not yet see our crews working in your neighborhood, is causing you to wonder what is happening.

This system was so strong that it was comparable to a hurricane and did unprecedented damage to our high-voltage transmission system – the poles and wires that carry electricity from where it is produced to the communities we serve. Without fixing those lines first, we cannot get power back into many neighborhoods. Much of this work takes place in hard to reach, remote parts of western Washington.

We have 143 line crews working around the clock – 3.5 times what we have usually, thanks to crews from other utilities in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Canada.

Progress continues

Throughout the morning crews made steady progress restoring power to customers impacted by Tuesday’s windstorm. Notably, power has been restored to an additional 10 substations and 9 transmission line segments allowing restoration of power to many schools, critical infrastructure and medical facilities. However, we understand that for those still affected it remains incredibly challenging, especially with the cold conditions. For customers needing support, please check with your local government or call 211 to find warming shelters and other resources. King 5 also has this list of resources.

Over the past decade, wildfires have emerged as a significant public health and safety concern for much of the Western United States. As our state’s largest utility, PSE is taking a comprehensive approach to mitigating the evolving risk of wildfires, working to ensure safety while maintaining the reliable delivery of energy to our communities.

Learn more about how PSE works year-round to prepare for and prevent wildfires, including Public Safety Power Shutoffs, and how you can prepare for wildfire season and other emergencies.

During high-risk wildfire weather conditions, PSE may temporarily shut off power lines to help prevent wildfires from starting. This tool of last resort is called a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS).

Learn more