NorthWestern Energy's Strategy for Wildfire Mitigation in Montana

NorthWestern Energy is closely monitoring extreme weather conditions in Montana and considering a potential public safety power shutoff due to high winds , high temperatures , and low humidity forecasted for Thursday afternoon . The company 's spokesperson , Jo Dee Black , mentioned that the Power outage would likely affect wildfire - prone areas outside Butte , Helena , Great Falls , or Bozeman.

This measure is part of the company 's wildfire mitigation plan to prevent power lines from sparking wildfires , and it is the first time NorthWestern Energy is implementing such a measure . Public safety power shutoffs are only used in extreme situations during severe fire weather to protect public safety.

The company follows a structured strategy with multiple phases , starting with " monitoring " 72 hours before a potential shutoff and escalating to a " watch " and " warning " less than 48 hours before the event . If a power shutoff is necessary , NorthWestern Energy will issue a public safety power shutoff alert and notify impacted customers multiple times throughout the process.

In a recent incident reported by The Billings Gazette , NorthWestern Energy faced litigation for a fire in Denton , Montana , in 2021 . The fire , known as the West Wind fire , was caused by a section of overhead power line belonging to the company , according to a Montana Department of Justice investigation . The Central Montana Railroad sued NorthWestern in 2023 to recover costs for machinery and infrastructure destroyed by the fire.

Despite the monitoring of extreme weather conditions in western Montana , there are currently no planned power outages . However , if weather conditions pose a threat to the safe operation of the electrical grid , NorthWestern Energy will shut off power to ensure public safety . The company will directly contact customers via email or phone if a power outage is necessary , particularly in wildfire - prone areas outside major cities like Butte , Helena , Great Falls , or Bozeman . Customers are advised to keep their contact information up to date to receive notifications promptly.

As NorthWestern Energy continues to monitor the weather forecast , they are prepared to implement a Public Safety Power Shutoff ( PSPS ) if needed . During this process , the company will provide updates on its website and social media platforms to keep customers informed about any potential power outages . The safety of the public remains the top priority for NorthWestern Energy amidst the challenging weather conditions in the region.