Arizona Public Service (APS) announced on Apr. 22 that it has temporarily shut off power to about 6,000 customers in select high fire-risk communities around the Flagstaff area. The planned outage began at 9 a.m. and is intended to prevent electrical equipment from starting or contributing to wildfires as extreme weather conditions continue.
The move comes as APS meteorologists tracked rapidly changing weather with wind gusts nearing 60 miles per hour, dry terrain, and other factors increasing wildfire danger. According to APS, the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for northeastern Arizona due to these conditions.
Customers affected by the outage reside in eastern Flagstaff and nearby areas including Doney Park, Timberline, Fernwood, Mormon Lake, Cosnino, Sunset Crater, Walnut Canyon, Valle, and some locations near Grand Canyon National Park. Restoration times are projected between 12-24 hours but may change depending on weather or necessary repairs. Impacted residents were notified directly by APS.
To assist those affected during the outage period, the city of Flagstaff’s Murdoch Community Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering charging stations for medical devices and electronics as well as water distribution points at several local sites. Customers can monitor updates through the APS Outage Map at aps.com/outages or sign up for alerts via text or phone.
APS said its fire mitigation experts assessed conditions before deciding on this proactive step: “APS’s fire mitigation experts and meteorologists assessed weather conditions in the impacted areas and determined the need to proactively shut off power to help prevent wildfires in the areas of highest risk.” The company also conducts year-round efforts such as inspecting more than 38,000 miles of powerlines and clearing hazardous brush around equipment.
As reported by the official website, Arizona Public Service delivers electricity across much of Arizona—including rural areas—and serves about 1.4 million customers statewide according to the official website. The utility operates under state regulation providing not only electric service but also assistance programs like energy bill discounts for eligible households according to its official website.
Looking ahead, APS plans continued monitoring of fire risks using tools such as real-time weather modeling and coordination with emergency officials until it is safe for crews to restore power.
