September 8, 2022 3:40 a.m.

Pacific Power has notified approximately 12,000 customers in Douglas, Linn, Lincoln, Tillamook, Marion and Polk counties of a potential Public Safety Power Shutoff due to forecast high, gusty easterly winds during extreme wildfire conditions from early Friday morning through Saturday.

Steve Vanderburg, meteorology manager said, “Our advanced modeling is indicating a potential for dangerous weather conditions”. Vanderburg said the utility is gaining an understanding of the impacts to its system this specific weather event could bring.

Sections of these communities could experience a Public Safety Power Shutoff:

*Glide east along the Umpqua Highway

*Stayton east through the Santiam Canyon

*Lebanon

*Sweet Home

*Lincoln City

A release said a Public Safety Power Shutoff is a proactive effort to reduce wildfire risk during hazardous fire weather conditions. That includes times of extremely low humidity, dry vegetation, elevated levels on key weather indexes and sustained winds and gusts. Current forecasts indicate conditions for the shutoff could be met by around 12:00 a.m. Friday morning. The power shut off could last late into Saturday evening.

Customers in those areas have been notified of the potential shutoff. A map of potentially affected areas is at: https://www.pacificpower.net/outages-safety/wildfire-safety/public-safety-power-shutoff.html