Rocky Mountain Power crews expected to cut power for customers living near Sundance and Summit Park to reduce wildfire risk during anticipated strong winds on Saturday, but by the evening they realized there was no need.
“Weather conditions did not necessitate a power shutoff,” the company said in a news release.
The move — called a “Public Safety Power Shutoff" — would have affected approximately 1,800 customers in Utah and Summit counties, the company said. The action is taken when dry conditions are coupled with hazardous wind gusts.
According to the Rocky Mountain Power website, such a power shutoff is rare and only used as a “last resort to help ensure community safety.”
The National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook for the western two-thirds of Utah because of anticipated “critical fire conditions” ahead of a cold front that could bring widespread hard freezes by Sunday night.
Forecasters predict a windy Saturday night into Sunday, with sustained winds at 10 to 15 mph and gust up to 30 mph. Stronger gusts are expected at higher elevations.
