In response to increasingly prolonged and destructive wildfire seasons, Alberta electricity providers are instituting initiatives to proactively cut off power in high-risk regions like the Bow Valley before wildfires erupt. This strategy, known as Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), involves deliberately halting electricity supply during severe conditions to mitigate the risk of power lines igniting fires.
AltaLink and FortisAlberta recently presented this program to Canmore town council. Canmore Mayor Sean Krausert expressed surprise upon learning about it, stating that it raised numerous inquiries. The decision to implement preemptive power shutoffs would be based on extreme weather factors such as wind speed, humidity levels, dryness of vegetation, and wildfire hazard assessments, all of which can heighten the chances of power line-triggered wildfires.
Evan Mitchell, vice president of operations at AltaLink, emphasized the significance of this decision, highlighting the need to prevent catastrophic wildfires if a spark were to occur. Residents would be informed in advance of any planned outages, potentially days in advance if conditions permit.
Approximately 10% of wildfires in Alberta are attributed to utility infrastructure, as stated by AltaLink and FortisAlberta. The data presented to Canmore council revealed that 674,000 hectares were scorched in Alberta in 2025, more than double the average annual burn area from 2015 to 2022.
The trend of implementing PSPS programs is gaining traction across western North America due to worsening wildfire conditions. California utilities expanded proactive power shutoffs after the devastating 2018 Camp Fire, which was initiated by electrical equipment. However, criticism arose as these outages became frequent and prolonged, affecting large populations. This led to refinements in the programs and investments in additional wildfire prevention measures.
Alberta utilities have been observing the evolution of these programs in the United States, emphasizing the importance of sharing best practices and successful technologies among utilities. The utilities in Alberta are leveraging these early experiences to shape the local rollout of their programs.
While it’s anticipated that the program would be rarely utilized, concerns persist regarding the potential impacts of outages on the Bow Valley, particularly during the bustling summer season. Planned outages would only be a last resort after exhausting other wildfire mitigation measures, with continuous monitoring of weather conditions and vegetation clearance around power lines to minimize fire risks.
Collaboration between Banff officials and utilities remains robust throughout the wildfire season, with joint assessments of potential impacts before any planned outage decisions. The town of Banff anticipates working closely with utility partners to minimize disruptions.
The PSPS programs have seen expansion beyond the Bow Valley, with AltaLink extending its initiatives to all service areas in the province in 2024. FortisAlberta has also broadened the program to encompass more communities this year, including Hinton, Nordegg, and the Municipal District of Bighorn.
ATCO Electric introduced a planned shutoff program near Jasper in 2025, with plans to enhance wildfire safety measures in other communities in the forthcoming years. Canmore’s director of emergency management, Caitlin Miller, advises residents to prepare for potential extended outages during the wildfire season by signing up for emergency alerts and assembling emergency kits with essential supplies. Wildfire remains the primary emergency risk faced by Canmore, with preparations ongoing to address the heightened threat this year based on forecasts and weather predictions.