Xcel Energy on Saturday shut down parts of the power grid across the Front Range as a precautionary measure amid strong winds and low humidity across the region that could potentially fuel a dangerous and rapidly spreading wildfire.
The safety shut-offs started at 3 p.m. Saturday and are expected to last until noon Sunday and could affect about 55,000 customers, primarily those in Boulder County and parts of Broomfield, Douglas, Gilpin, Jefferson and Larimer counties, the company said.
Tyler Bryant, a spokesperson for Xcel — Colorado’s largest utility — said in an email that de-energizing power lines is a “last resort measure” to reduce wildfire risk.
