Text-to-speech audio articles are made possible by a Quest Grant from Yavapai College: a tuition-free industry certification to help you in your career.

In May of this year, Arizona Public Service (APS) implemented a Public Safety Power Shutdown (PSPS) program in high-fire risk areas of Yavapai County. A PSPS is a safety measure that temporarily shuts off power during periods of high wildfire danger. While PSPS are challenging, their primary purpose is to protect lives, property, and the well-being of communities by preventing downed power lines from starting wildfires.

The Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management (YCOEM) recognizes the importance of preparation and encourages residents to develop an emergency response plan tailored to the specific needs of their family, including pets and livestock.

The main steps are:

• Ensure backup power for critical medical equipment, including medicines that require refrigeration.
• Prepare or stock an emergency kit with sufficient food, water, and medicines.
• Make sure you know how to back up charge your cell phone, learn how to manually operate your garage door, and if you have a generator, be prepared to use it safely. If you use well water, make a plan to provide water for your pets in the event of a power outage.

Once notified of a PSPS outbreak within Yavapai County, YCOEM works closely with APS to update its website, social media accounts (X, Facebook, Instagram), local media reported.

APS said PSPS will only be used when necessary due to weather conditions in areas deemed to be at high fire risk. PSPS Yavapai County communities include:

• This includes Boynton Pass Road, and the Airlie Road and Dry Creek Road areas west of Enchantment Resort.
• Iron Springs, Pine Lakes, Emanuel Pines, Highland Pines and Deering Park.
• Kirkland, Skull Valley, Rancho Diamante, Tonto Road, Ruger Ranch, Yaba, Hillside, Mule Shoe Ranch and surrounding ranches.
• Zonia Mine, Waggoner, Walnut Grove, and ranches along the Hassayampa River.
• Yavapai Downs, Coyote Crest, Mingus West, Prescott Ridge, Mingus Academy Girls
  school;
• Mayer & Bensch Ranch, Poland Junction;
• Highway 89A just north of the Owenby Way Roundabout, Oak Creek Canyon just north of downtown Sedona.
• Potato Patch, Walker, Groom Creek and Wolf Creek.

The Arizona Emergency Information Network (AZEIN) ein.az.gov and APS provide detailed information on the PSPS approach through their respective websites. It includes the following information:

• Monitor conditions: Utilities will closely monitor fire weather conditions, including wind speeds, humidity levels and vegetation conditions.
• Decision to shut off power: When conditions become extreme, utility companies may decide to shut off power to an area to prevent wildfires. The decision to shut off power is based on several factors, including weather and vegetation conditions.
• Notice: For customers in the participation-only area, [APS four days] You will be notified before your power is temporarily shut off. Notifications may be sent via email, text message, automated phone call, and through the utility's website. It's important that customers keep their contact information up to date on their account to receive warnings from their provider.
• Power Restored: Once the fire danger has significantly decreased, crews on-site will inspect downed power lines. If no damage has occurred, power will be restored during the day. In most cases, when a public safety power shutoff is issued, power will be restored approximately 20 hours later, but the actual time required will vary depending on current weather conditions and whether equipment repairs are required.

The APS website has a map showing affected areas. To see if your community may be affected, contact the Public Safety Power Shutoff athome page) or call APS at (800) 253-9405 for more information.

Please visit our website for information on how to prepare for a Public Safety Power Outage, including information on the Functional Needs Registry. Click here for details.

For more information about APS and its medical care programs, visit https://www.aps.com/psps

Check out Signals A Z.com for more local news stories.

Subscribe and become F1RST2KNOW!