New Mexico
Public Safety Power Shutoffs likely in New Mexico Monday and Texas Tuesday due to Wildfire Risk
AMARILLO, Texas (NEWS RELEASE) – Xcel Energy is preparing for critical wildfire risks early this week across our New Mexico and Texas service areas and notifying customers in specific areas that temporary Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) will likely be implemented to enhance public safety. Weather forecasts predict high wind speeds and low humidity in parts of New Mexico on Monday, March 3, and in Texas on Tuesday, March 4. These conditions, combined with excessively dry conditions and an abundance of dead or dry brush and grass, are expected to increase wildfire risk.
A Public Safety Power Shutoff is likely to occur for a small number of our eastern New Mexico customers starting Monday, March 3 in the early or mid-afternoon. The number of customers and regions affected could change as conditions evolve.
It is also likely that power will be turned off for some Texas South Plains customers to reduce wildfire risk, starting the morning of Tuesday, March 4. We will continue to share updates as conditions could change.
We encourage customers to prepare for potential power outages, particularly those who rely on electricpowered medical equipment. In anticipation of possible Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) in targeted areas, we are positioning our teams to restore power safely if outages occur due to this week’s high winds and heightened wildfire risk. Xcel Energy is also providing tips to help customers stay safe, report outages and stay informed throughout this event.
If a Public Safety Power Shutoff is needed or there are weather-related outages across our system, power restoration efforts will begin after high winds and elevated fire risks have ended. Crews must patrol the entire line during these events to ensure it’s safe, which could take hours or days to return service, and we appreciate customers’ patience.
Important tools for Xcel Energy customers
– Customers can visit our PSPS Event website to stay up to date.
– The website now includes a PSPS map that customers can use to look up their address to find out whether they may experience a PSPS.
– The status of current outages is tracked on the electric service outage map.
“The safety of our customers and communities is our top priority,” said Adrian J. Rodriguez, President, Xcel Energy – Texas, New Mexico. “We are taking proactive measures to mitigate wildfire risks and will maintain close communication with our public safety partners and customers to ensure everyone stays informed as conditions evolve.”
Public Safety Power Shutoffs likely: Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings will be activated
Xcel Energy uses weather forecasts and other data sources to determine the best course of action to protect public safety. High winds, low relative humidity and dry ground conditions are key factors in our risk models. We generate new models regularly and adjust operations accordingly to reduce wildfire risk.
A PSPS is a measure of last resort where power is shut off to a targeted area for a limited time period, used only when the fire risk is exceptionally high, and other methods like Enhanced Power Safety Settings (EPSS) are not enough for public safety. We will work to notify customers who may be affected as soon as possible if a PSPS becomes necessary.
PSPS and EPSS are tools that can reduce wildfire risk and keep our customers safe. In a PSPS event, power is proactively shut off for safety. This is not a step we take lightly. EPSS allows for power lines to remain in service during periods of elevated wildfire risk, with additional protection settings enabled. More background information is available on our website and this EPSS video.
Due to the elevated risk of wildfire, we will activate Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) across our Texas and New Mexico service territory beginning Sunday, March 2.
– When EPSS are activated, power lines can instantly stop the flow of energy if an issue is detected, like a tree branch or other object touching the line.
– EPSS settings do not mean the company has proactively turned off a customer’s power. If there is an outage while these settings are activated, it is the result of an issue on the power line.
– Power will remain off until our crews can visually inspect power lines to make sure it is safe to turn them back on. This may mean that if an outage occurs, it could last longer.
Both EPSS and PSPS are only used when temperature, wind speed, relative humidity and other available fuel sources indicate a high risk for wildfire. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to take steps to reduce wildfire risk and keep our communities safe.
How customers can prepare, stay safe Stay Informed
If outages occur, it’s important for customers to have access to the most recent updates about their power restoration. Customers should make sure their account information and communications preferences are up to date through the Xcel Energy website.
The website hosts an outage map that displays information on the number of customers out and anticipated time for restoration when available. Customers can also stay informed by following Xcel Energy on Facebook and $underline{X}$.
Customers can also visit the PSPS Event website for more information.
Build a Home Emergency Kit
Customers are encouraged to be prepared for an electric outage by keeping phones and other devices charged and building an outage kit with items that do not require electricity, including:
– Battery-powered radio
– Flashlights
– Batteries
– Backup phone chargers
– A phone that does not require electricity
– Non-electric alarm clock
– Bottled water and non-perishable food
– Manual can opener
– First aid kit
– Extension cords (for partial outages)
– Manufacturer’s instructions on how to manually open power-operated doors (e.g. garage doors)
– Xcel Energy phone numbers – (800) 895-1999 for residential or (800) 481-4700 for business
As an important reminder to customers who have medical equipment that relies on electric service, please take steps to prepare a backup power supply in case outages do occur. We will be contacting qualifying medical customers in the area directly to inform them about forecasted severe weather and potential impacts.
We are continually investing in and building out our systems to reduce the risk of wildfire and limit the size, scale and duration of potential power disruptions. More tips for how to prepare for an outage are available here.
Report an Outage
Customers can help Xcel Energy get a jump on power restoration by reporting outages. Customers have several ways to report outages:
– Through the Xcel Energy mobile app, available in the Apple App Store and through Google Play.
– Online at xcelenergy.com/outage.
– Via text by texting OUT to $mathbf{9 8 9 3 6}$ to report an outage, or text STAT to the same number to check the status of a power outage
– By calling 1-800-895-1999 and following the prompts-the automated phone reporting system lets customers report outages in less than 60 seconds.
About Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is an industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices. For more information, visit xcelenergy.com or follow us on $underline{X}$ and Facebook.
Copyright 2025 KCBD. All rights reserved.
Early voting for the 2026 New Mexico Primary Election begins Tuesday, May 5.
Residents can vote at county clerks’ offices until May 16, at which point more early voting locations open.
The Primary Election is on June 2.
Key races in New Mexico Primary Election?
Several state races have a crowded primary field including Democrat candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, governor and the state Legislature. Local races in Doña Ana and Otero County for sheriff and the Board of County Commissioners.
Who can vote in New Mexico Primary Election?
New Mexico has semi-open primary elections, which means voters who are not registered with a qualified political party may participate in the election by selecting which major party’s ballot they want to vote on without changing their voter registration.
Voters who have not registered with a qualified party can participate by selecting a major party’s ballot and vote.
Registration status, voting locations and sample ballots can be viewed at the New Mexico Secretary of State website.
Where to vote in Doña Ana County
Early voting at the Doña Ana County Government Center, 845 N Motel Blvd., Las Cruces, will begin from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. Monday through Friday on May 5 until May 29, and from 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 30.
Alternate site early voting locations will begin at 11 a.m. on May 16 and run through May 30 from Tuesday through Saturday.
The alternate site locations in Doña Ana County are:• Anthony Library (750 Landers Road, Anthony)• HVPS Student Services (350 Main Street, Hatch)• Doña Ana County Community College (755 Prescott Anthony Drive, Chapparal)• Doña Ana County Community College (800 Sonoma Ranch Blvd., Las Cruces)• Doña Ana County Community College (3365 McNutt Road, Sunland Park)• Las Cruces City Hall (700 N. Main Street, Las Cruces)• Mesilla Town Hall (2231 Avenida de Mesilla, Mesilla)• Corbett Center Student Union (1600 International Mall, Las Cruces)
Same day registration will be available at the Doña Ana County Government Center during early voting and all absentee ballots may be returned to the County Clerk’s Office or any Election Day polling location no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Where to vote in Otero County
Early voting at the Otero County Clerk’s sub-office, 1101 New York Avenue, Room 101, will begin from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m., Monday through Friday on May 5 until May 29, and from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 30.
Alternate site early voting locations will be staggered beginning on May 16 at 11 a.m. and run through May 30.
The alternate site locations in Otero County are:10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 16 through May 30Otero County Fairgrounds (401 Fairgrounds Road, Alamogordo)
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., May 27 through May 29Inn of The Mountain Gods (287 Carrizo Canyon Road, Mescalero)
8:00 am to 5:00 p.m., May 28 through May 30 Chaparral Far South Fire Station (827 Luna Street, Chaparral)
Josh’s Monday Night Forecast
Cloudier skies have moved into New Mexico today along with warmer temperatures. A few spotty to isolated showers have also developed this afternoon across western parts of New Mexico. Overnight, upper level moisture will increase across the region. This will bring more scattered to widespread shower and storm chances starting Tuesday.
Showers, storms and high elevation snowfall will move throughout much of the region with southeast New Mexico remaining quiet through Wednesday. Drier air moves in statewide by Thursday. This will bring fewer rain chances through the end of the week along with warming temperatures into the weekend.
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