Font Size:
Red Flag Warnings & Outages
At MVEA, safety is our top priority. During severe weather and elevated wildfire risk conditions, outages and restoration efforts may be impacted by operating procedures designed to protect our members, employees, and communities. This page provides information about outage restoration, Red Flag Warning operations, and what members can expect during these events.
Power Safety During Elevated Wildfire Risk
Operating and maintaining an electric system during periods of elevated wildfire risk requires a careful balance between reliability and safety. When weather conditions create an increased risk for wildfire ignition and spread, MVEA may temporarily adjust how portions of our electric system operate to help reduce potential hazards.
This page explains what Red Flag Warnings mean, how they may affect your electric service, and what you can expect from MVEA during these events.
What Is a Red Flag Warning?
A Red Flag Warning is issued by the National Weather Service when weather conditions create an increased risk for wildfires to start and spread rapidly.
These conditions often include:
- Strong or gusty winds
- Low relative humidity
- Dry vegetation and fuels
- Warm temperatures
When these conditions are present, even a small spark can quickly become a dangerous wildfire.
Why Your Power May Be Impacted
During periods of elevated wildfire risk, MVEA may place portions of the electric system in what is known as one-shot operation as a safety precaution.
Under normal operating conditions, certain protective devices may automatically attempt to restore power after a temporary fault occurs on a power line.
When the system is placed on one-shot:
- A fault or outage will cause the affected line to remain de-energized.
- The system will not automatically attempt to restore power.
- MVEA crews must manually inspect the line before power can be restored.
This approach helps reduce the possibility of damaged equipment or downed lines creating an ignition source during high-risk wildfire conditions.
What Members Can Expect
When elevated wildfire conditions exist:
- MVEA may implement one-shot operations on portions of the system.
- Many members may experience no interruption to electric service.
- MVEA is not automatically planning outages simply because a Red Flag Warning has been issued.
- If an outage occurs, restoration may take longer than usual as crews must inspect affected lines and equipment before safely restoring power.
- Crews will continue monitoring weather and system conditions throughout the event.
These measures are precautionary and are intended to help protect people, property, and natural resources.
How to Stay Informed
Outage Information
For current outage information, outage maps, and restoration updates, visit MVEA’s Outage Center.
Outage Notifications & Reporting
Members can report outages, view outage information, and enroll in outage notifications through MVEA’s outage reporting and alerts page. We encourage members to keep their contact information up to date and sign up for notifications to receive outage and restoration updates by text, email, or phone.
Social Media
MVEA will share updates regarding significant outages, restoration efforts, and wildfire-related operations through our official Facebook and X pages.
Emergency Situations
If you see a downed power line:
- Stay away from the line and anything it may be touching.
- Assume every line is energized.
- Call 911 if there is an immediate danger.
- Report the outage or hazard to MVEA as soon as possible.