Black Hills Energy Cancels Public Safety Emergency Power Shutoff

UPDATE: 6 P.M: A change in weather conditions has prompted Black Hills Energy to cancel an Emergency Public Safety Power Shutoff;

The company released the following in a Monday evening news release:

CHEYENNE, Wyo., Nov. 10, 2025, 5 p.m. – Forecasted weather conditions have improved to the point that Black Hills Energy has cancelled today’s Emergency Public Safety Power Shutoff warning for customers in Harriman and Curt Gowdy areas. “Safety remains our top priority,” said Wes Ashton, vice president of operations. “The combination of high wind speeds and low relative humidity can lead to conditions which make it unsafe to operate the electric grid. It was this combination of factors that prompted today’s Emergency PSPS warning. While conditions have improved and the PSPS warning has now been cancelled, we will continue to monitor conditions to help keep our customers and communities safe.

UPDATE: 1:30 P.M.; Black Hills Energy Now Says power outages are likely later today for the Harriman and Curt Gowdy areas.

That's according to a news release issued around I:30 p.m. on Monday:

– "Extreme fire weather conditions are forecasted to be in place today from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Harriman and Curt Gowdy areas west of Cheyenne. This elevated wildfire risk has prompted Black Hills Energy to issue an Emergency Public Safety Power Shutoff Warning. This means that power will be proactively turned off for customers in these areas starting as early as 4 p.m. to protect public safety and prevent wildfire, if weather conditions remain as forecasted. Black Hills Energy will only de-energize power lines in the PSPS risk areas serving Harriman and Curt Gowdy areas, impacting approximately 350 customers. For information about the areas impacted by today’s PSPS, visit blackhillsenergy.com/outages."

According to the release "This process may result in outages lasting a few hours or a few days,"

Original Post: Black Hills Energy has issued an Emergency Public Safety Power Shutoff Watch for the Harriman and the area in the area around Curt Gowdy State Park due to a high risk of wildfires.

Company spokeswoman calls the situation "fluid" and says more information will likely be forthcoming.

Company officials say they will try to notify residents if the power needs to be shut off, but warn that may not be possible under some circumstance

The watch area does NOT include City of Cheyenne.

350 Customers Could Be Face Emergency Outage

According to a news release, "During this watch period, approximately 350 customers in these areas west of Cheyenne are urged to prepare for the possibility of emergency power outages needed to protect public safety and prevent wildfire.

“The safety of our customers, employees and communities is our highest priority,” said Wes Ashton, vice president of operations. “Our Emergency Public Safety Power Shutoff program, or PSPS, is a critical tool for wildfire prevention and used as a last-resort measure to protect lives and property and will only be activated in areas with elevated wildfire risk.”

Ashton is further quoted as saying "We recognize that shutting off power, even to reduce wildfire risks, has broad impacts,” said Ashton. “We will do our best to provide as much advance notice as possible if an emergency power shutoff is likely to occur, by issuing a PSPS Warning. If conditions suddenly become hazardous, power may need to be shut off with little or no notice.”

The release offers the following tips:

Keep your contact information up to date with Black Hills Energy so we can provide safety notifications and direct you to our website for helpful tips and resources. Visit blackhillsenergy.com/my-account.   

• Have a backup plan for medicine that needs to be refrigerated or medical equipment that is powered by electricity. This could mean finding a place to go during an outage or having a backup generator.

• Build an emergency kit and plan and share with friends and neighbors.  

• If you see downed powerlines, stay away and call 911.

You can update your contact information here.