Xcel Energy said it will cut electricity to about 55,000 customers in Colorado because of strong winds that could collapse its power lines and spark wildfires.
The state’s largest utility said customers in Boulder County and some near Denver will lose power starting at 3 pm local time on Saturday and lasting until at least noon on Sunday, according to a statement.
The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning through Sunday for parts of the Denver area with expected wind gusts reaching 90 miles (145 kilometers) per hour in dry conditions.
“With the exceptionally strong winds associated with this weather event, damage to electrical equipment and power outages may occur,” Xcel said in its statement.
Xcel was found partially responsible for the wind-driven Marshall Fire in 2021 that razed more than 1,000 homes in suburban Boulder. Recently, the company acknowledged that the broken utility pole caused the worst fire in Texas history.
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