Avista implements Public Safety Power shutoffs

Due to forecast high-fire-risk weather conditions, including a Red Flag Warning, Avista turned off power in select areas beginning around 1 p.m. Saturday. Public Safety Power Shutoffs, or PSPS, are intended to reduce wildfire risk and protect customers and communities.

Avista moved select areas to an active Public Safety Power Shutoff, including parts of north Spokane and the Indian Trail/Five Mile area, the Nine Mile Falls area, Mead, the South Hill, the Ford/Tumtum area, West Clarkston/Dry Creek and the Kamiah area.

Power will remain off until weather conditions improve, and it is safe for crews to inspect affected power lines and equipment before restoring service. Depending on weather conditions, patrol findings and any necessary repairs, outages may last more than 24 hours, a press release said.

"Avista understands that being without power is difficult and does not make this decision lightly," the release said.

Before implementing a PSPS, Avista considers several factors, including fire risk, humidity, wind speed and direction, and rainfall during the past 30 to 90 days. Public safety guides every operational decision.

Customers affected by this proactive public safety measure will receive direct communication from Avista.

For the latest outage information, a map of impacted locations, and estimated restoration times, visit Avista’s outage map at myavista.com/outage.