AMARILLO, Texas (Feb. 15, 2026) — Xcel Energy is preparing for critical wildfire risks early this week in the northern Texas Panhandle and eastern New Mexico and is notifying customers that a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) may be necessary on Tuesday, Feb. 17, beginning around 9 a.m. CT. 

Unseasonably warm, dry weather combined with high winds, low humidity and very dry vegetation has created elevated wildfire risk across the region, especially in areas that have not seen substantial precipitation in recent days. Strong winds may also damage power lines and cause additional unplanned outages. It’s important to note that high winds can also trigger outages. Xcel Energy is staging crews and equipment to respond quickly and restore service as soon as conditions allow.

“If extreme conditions materialize on Tuesday, shutting off power in specific high-risk areas may be necessary to protect public safety,” said Adrian J. Rodriguez, President, Xcel Energy – Texas, New Mexico. “We are closely monitoring the forecast and will keep customers informed as the situation develops. If a PSPS is implemented, we will work to notify customers who may be affected as soon as possible."

Xcel Energy is also contacting customers who rely on electrically powered medical equipment to encourage them to prepare for potential outages. Customers with medically necessary equipment should prepare backup power options. After the severe weather subsides, it may take several hours to a few days to restore power to all customers because crews must patrol each line to repair damage and make sure it’s safe to re energize. Crew members will be positioned to begin inspections, make repairs and restore power as soon as it is safe.

Customers can check whether they may be in a PSPS zone and view current outages on the Xcel Energy outage map and can find updates on the company’s PSPS Event website.

What to expect Monday, Wednesday and Thursday

While forecasts do not currently indicate the need for a PSPS on Monday, Wednesday or Thursday, Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) will be active during this period of elevated fire danger. 

Under EPSS:

• Lines automatically shut off if an issue is detected, such as debris hitting a wire.
• This is not a planned outage.
• Outages that occur may take longer to restore because crews must visually inspect lines before re-energizing them.

EPSS and PSPS are used only when conditions — including temperature, wind speed, humidity, and fuel levels — indicate a heightened wildfire risk.

Xcel Energy encourages customers to take steps to prepare for potential wildfires and power outages now.

• Please review your contact information and preferences in My Account and update them if needed. 
• If you use medical equipment that relies on electricity, consider applying for our medical needs program, which provides extra support to residents with qualifying medical conditions. 

Xcel Energy is ramping up communications with customers to raise awareness and encourage preparedness. Customer communication will increase if outages become imminent, or wildfire activity increases.

How customers can prepare, stay safe   

Build a Home Emergency Kit   

Customers are encouraged to be prepared for an electric outage by keeping phones and other devices charged and building an outage kit with items that do not require electricity, including:     

• Battery-powered radio   
• Flashlights    
• Batteries    
• Backup phone chargers    
• A phone that does not require electricity    
• Non-electric alarm clock    
• Bottled water and non-perishable food    
• Manual can opener    
• First aid kit    
• Extension cords (for partial outages)    
• Manufacturer’s instructions on how to manually open power-operated doors (e.g. garage doors)    
• Xcel Energy phone numbers – (800) 895-1999 for residential or (800) 481-4700 for business    

As an important reminder to customers who have medical equipment that relies on electric service, please take steps to prepare a backup power supply in case outages do occur. Xcel Energy is contacting verified medical customers in the area directly to inform them about forecasted severe weather and potential impacts.

Xcel Energy is continually investing in the electric systems to reduce the risk of wildfire and limit the size, scale, and duration of potential power disruptions. Our website includes more tips for how to prepare for an outage. 

To report an outage:

• Use the Xcel Energy mobile app
• Visit xcelenergy.com/outage
• Text OUT to 98936 or text STAT to the same number to check the status of a power outage
• By calling 1-800-895-1999