STURGIS, S.D. – Black Hills Energy representatives were at last night’s Sturgis Council meeting to inform the Sturgis City Council and community about the implementation of their Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program, set to begin this summer.
B.H. Energy says this program is a proactive wildfire mitigation strategy designed to reduce the risk of utility-caused wildfires during extreme weather conditions.
In response to increasing wildfire threats across the region, Black Hills Energy is adopting a PSPS policy similar to other utilities in the western United States. This strategy allows them to temporarily shut off power in high-risk areas during periods of extreme fire danger.
Steve Dunn with BHE says, however, this is not widespread.
Factors considered in triggering a PSPS event include Red Flag Warnings issued by the National Weather Service, Low humidity and high wind conditions, Fuel load and vegetation dryness and Real-time observations and data from field crews and weather stations.
Sturgis Mayor Kevin Forrester addressed some concerns with the plan, including what could happen if such an event happened during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
Dunn says historically, that is not the time of year when it could happen. However, their hope is to keep the lights on in communities.
Dunn, in his presentation, showed Meade County has, on average, greater wildfire likelihood than 81-percent of counties in the U.S. The number is from the USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities study.
