Public Safety Power Shutoff to Reduce Risk of Wildfires

PSPS is a tool that has been developed as a precautionary measure to keep residents and communities safe during extreme weather conditions that are known to result in wildfires. During such high-risk situations, TEP/UniSource will proactively shut off power, reducing the risk or spread of wildfires.

In the effort to implement a PSPS, TEP/UniSource is working closely with local emergency services to enhance existing emergency response plans. This ensures that we can work in coordination with our communities and respond effectively.

We understand that you may have concerns if your area is impacted. Because wildfire risks are highly situational, the specific areas and customers impacted by a PSPS and the duration of the event will depend on the weather and other local conditions. We do not anticipate a PSPS event except in the rarest and most extreme conditions.

We are committed to keeping you informed and prepared about PSPS events. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work together to protect public safety.

Turning off power lines exposed to high winds and dry conditions helps prevent electric equipment or debris from starting or contributing to a wildfire.

Our teams work year-round with public safety partners, first responders and wildfire experts in your community to prevent, reduce and respond to wildfires.

Most of TEP’s service territory is located in urban areas where the company maintains an active vegetation management program. Crews work full-time throughout the year to trim trees and other vegetation away from our local energy grid.

However, some of our higher-voltage transmission lines are located in forested areas. TEP uses several preventive measures around transmission facilities.

Vegetation is cleared away from transmission lines and structures in transmission corridors and trimmed on a five-year cycle. TEP will maintain clearances more than 300 feet wide in some areas. TEP coordinates access with the U.S. Forest Service for continual vegetation management efforts.

All transmission facilities are patrolled by helicopter to identify equipment in need of repair and trees in need of trimming.
Extra-high-voltage transmission facilities, including 500 kilovolt (kV) and 345 kV lines, are patrolled by ground inspection at least once every five years.

High-voltage transmission facilities, including 138 kV, 69 kV and 46 kV transmission lines are patrolled by ground inspection at least once annually.

Drones are used to identify potential concerns in hard-to-reach areas.

A limited number of customers in the areas identified on the map are in risk-prone areas and could experience a PSPS. We will communicate directly with customers in affected areas to minimize disruption while providing timely public updates as conditions evolve.

Having a well-thought-out plan in place is crucial in the rare case of an extended power outage. Here are some recommendations to make sure you’re prepared and ready for what could be several days without power:

Update your account: Manage your contact information on My Account or call us at 520-623-7711 to make sure we can reach you in the event of an outage in your area. You should let us know if you have medical needs that require continuous electric service or if you have limited mobility, so that we can take additional steps to make sure that you are aware of a potential PSPS.

Update your emergency plans:

• Establish a communication network with family members, neighbors, and friends. Share contact information and designate a central point of contact.
• Consider social media platforms to stay connected during an outage.
• Establish safe exits from home and neighborhood.
• Define meeting places to reunite with family.
• Designate a person you can assist with and pick up children should you be unavailable.
• Define who your contact person will be both close-by and out-of-town.
• Have your health and insurance information readily available.
• Ensure there is a place to take pets.
• Evaluate the risk in your region.

Set up an outage kit with at least the following items:

• Two-to-three week supply of non-perishable food items (canned goods, granola bars, etc.) for all people and pets
• Bottled water (one gallon per person/per day)
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Battery powered radio
• Solar phone charger
• One change of clothes and shoes per person
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener
• Toiletries
• First aid supplies
• Prescription medication and any necessary medical equipment
• Dust masks
• Blankets or warm clothing
• Cash
• Family contact sheet
• Copies of important documents
• Keep this kit easily accessible in case of power loss

Learn more about safety tips before, during and after an outage or contact us at 520-623-7711.

TEP will work closely with fire, safety and public health officials in monitoring conditions that could contribute to the ignition or spread of a fire, including wind speeds, humidity and the condition of vegetation in the area.

We also will consider standards and guidelines used by other utilities as well as our own experience with our systems and the areas that might be affected.

Considering all this, we expect the likelihood of a PSPS occurring is very low.

We will use the contact information associated with your TEP account to provide as much notice as possible in advance of an event.  We will continue to share updates during the event and alert you when power is restored. Please make sure we have your updated email and phone numbers. Manage your contact information on My Account or by calling us at 520-623-7711.

More broadly, you should monitor local news, weather updates, and official alerts, including staying up to date on active wildfires through your local U.S. Forest Service channels. Follow instructions from local authorities regarding safety measures.

The duration of a PSPS event will depend on weather conditions and the time it takes our crews to manually inspect deenergized power lines for debris or damage after conditions improve. The outage may extend longer if repairs are needed. Power will be restored once it is safe to do so.

You can minimize food loss by keeping your refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Refrigerators will generally keep food cold for about four hours without power and a freezer can preserve food without power for 48 hours. Use a thermometer in your fridge. If the temperature rises above 40 degrees for two or more hours, throw it out rather than risk food poisoning.

Consume perishable items first.

If the outage is prolonged, consider using coolers with ice packs to preserve food. Prior to a prolonged outage, set your refrigerator and freezer temperatures to the coldest setting possible and use dry or block ice to keep the interior cold. You might also consider using coolers with ice to keep food safe.

Check with your physician if you have medications that must be refrigerated.

Customers with a life-sustaining medical device or a medical condition requiring continuous use of electricity should sign up for our Medical Device Alert program.

While this program does not guarantee uninterrupted power, it does provide awareness so we can keep you informed about service disruptions and notify you in advance of any planned outages affecting your residence. Participating customers should have a backup power supply or consult with their medical care provider to have a plan if there’s an outage.

Please also let us know if you have mobility limitations as a result of your age or physical condition.

Don’t use your generator in an enclosed space, as their exhaust includes dangerous levels of carbon monoxide – an invisible, odorless gas that can quickly cause suffocation and death. Make sure a battery-powered carbon monoxide detector is operating nearby.

Also, do not connect a generator directly to your home’s electrical system. This can send power back onto the local electric grid, increasing wildfire risks and threatening the safety of utility crews, public safety workers and others who may encounter nearby power lines and assume they are de-energized. Instead, plug appliances and equipment such as refrigerators or laptop chargers directly into the generator.

If you’re facing an evacuation due to safety concerns, it’s essential to take swift and deliberate actions to protect yourself and prepare your home. Here are the steps you should follow:

Secure your home: 

• Close and lock all doors and windows to prevent unauthorized entry.
• Unplug electrical equipment such as radios, televisions, and small appliances.
• Leave freezers and refrigerators plugged in.

Shut off utilities (if necessary): 

• If instructed to do so, turn off water, gas, and electricity before leaving your home. This step helps prevent potential hazards during your absence.

Secure your emergency kit and essentials: 

• Grab your emergency kit, which should include essentials like non-perishable food, water, flashlights, batteries, first aid supplies, and important medications.
• Pack necessary personal items (clothing, toiletries, etc.) for your evacuation.

Gather important documents and valuables: 

• Documents such as identification, insurance policies, medical records, etc. should be safeguarded, such as placing them in a waterproof container.
• Safeguard valuable items (jewelry, cash, sentimental objects) that you can easily carry with you.

Share your communication plan: 

• Inform family members and neighbors about the evacuation.
• Share your whereabouts and contact information with someone outside the affected area.
• Establish a communication plan to stay connected during the evacuation.

Determine your evacuation route and destination: 

• Know the designated evacuation routes and follow official instructions.
• Choose a safe location away from the danger zone (e.g., a friend’s house, emergency shelter, or designated evacuation center).

Care for pets and livestock: 

• If you have pets or other animals, plan for their safety. Bring them with you if possible or ensure they are secured in a safe area.