During extreme wildfire-hazard weather, wind, dry vegetation, low humidity, equipment condition, terrain, and other factors can increase the possibility that electrical equipment could ignite a fire. BPA combines weather forecasts, field observations, vegetation and asset information, wildfire-risk modeling, and power-system analysis when evaluating whether a shutoff is needed.
A Red Flag Warning does not automatically cause a PSPS. BPA evaluates the specific risk to the transmission line and the consequences of both leaving it energized and shutting it off. BPA’s 2026 Wildfire Mitigation Plan describes PSPS as a measure of last resort.