The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning, and high winds may damage power lines and increase wildfire danger.
While CORE Electric Cooperative serves as the primary electric utility provider in Castle Pines , residents with Xcel Energy as their energy provider should be prepared for unplanned power outages on Wednesday, Dec. 17, as strong winds and extremely dry conditions increase wildfire risk across the Front Range. While not currently planned in Douglas County, Xcel Energy is preparing for a likely Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) to begin around noon on Wednesday in other areas of the Front Range. A PSPS is a preventative step that temporarily turns off power to reduce the risk of wildfires caused by damaged power lines. Visit Xcel’s webpage to begin planning and for updates. At this time, CORE Electric Cooperative has not shared any plans for a PSPS.
Although Castle Pines is not in the PSPS area, residents should be aware that these conditions may lead to unplanned outages, as Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings will be activated. These settings may result in additional outages if problems are detected, and they can extend restoration times because crews must inspect lines before restoring power. It is important that residents do not call 911 to report the outage.
“While power shutoffs are never ideal, preparing ahead of time can make a big difference,” said Mike Alexander, Director of Emergency Management for Douglas County. “We encourage residents to take a few simple steps now, stay informed, and look out for one another, especially neighbors who may need extra help.”
Specific neighborhoods and the number of customers affected may change as conditions evolve. Xcel Energy expects to confirm impacted areas and will make a final decision on the use of a PSPS by Wednesday morning.
What to Expect
- Power may remain off until winds decrease and conditions are safe
- It could take several days for power to be restored, if it’s shut off, either in a planned or unplanned outage
- Wind damage may cause outages outside PSPS areas
- Charge phones, battery packs, and medical devices
- Set refrigerators and freezers to the coldest setting
- Gather flashlights, batteries, medications, and first aid supplies
- Unplug sensitive electronics during outages
- Practice opening your garage door manually
Traffic Safety
If traffic signals lose power:
- Treat dark or flashing signals as four-way stops
- Come to a complete stop and take turns
- Watch for pedestrians, cyclists, and emergency vehicles
- Avoid unnecessary travel if possible
Xcel Energy will notify potentially affected customers by phone, text, and email. Residents should ensure contact information is up to date with their utility provider and continue to monitor updates from Douglas County, Xcel Energy, and the National Weather Service.
Douglas County Emergency Management teams and local fire departments are actively monitoring conditions and are prepared to respond quickly if a wildfire starts. Resources and coordination plans are in place to support fire response, evacuations, and public safety if needed.