Avista cancels potential power plans in northwest Spokane
UPDATE: July 25, 2026 1:23 p.m.
Avista announced it cancelled the potential power shutoff in the Nine Mile Falls area, which would have affected over 4,500 customers around 4 p.m. on Saturday.
It said changes in weather decreased the initial fire risk.
”While conditions have improved, wildfire risk remains high, and Avista will continue operating its system at higher sensitivity settings to reduce the risk of wildfire,” Avista wrote in the announcement.
Avista said it was still evaluating the Kamiah area for a potential shutoff and was considering the Asotin area. It said it was communicating directly with customers who could be affected by potential shutoffs.
“As we monitored the potential for a Public Safety Power Shutoff, I want to thank our customers for their patience and preparedness,” Heather Rosentrater, president and CEO of Avista said. “Changing weather conditions allowed us to avoid implementing the shutoff in the Indian Trail area and we’re grateful for that outcome.”
“We remain committed to keeping customers informed and working closely with our community partners to help protect the people and places we serve,” Rosentrater said.
UPDATE: July 25, 2026 9:26 a.m.
Avista’s outage map shows that it could shut off power for over 3,000 residents near Nine Mile Falls at 4 p.m. on Saturday, citing high fire risk.
Screenshot of the Avista Outage Map taken on July 26, 2026 at 9:28 a.m.
With dry conditions and high winds raising fire concerns, Avista recently warned customers in the Indian Trail area to be prepared to lose power on Saturday. NonStop Local’s Noah Boelter speaks with the utility company about the strategy behind planned shutoffs.
SPOKANE, Wash. – Avista advised the public about a potential “Public Safety Power Shutoff” (PSPS) beginning Saturday afternoon, which could impact customers in the Indian Trail area of northwest Spokane.
The company is preparing for the possibility of implementing power outages as a “last-resort measure” to mitigate the risk of wildfires as weather forecasts have shown “high-fire-risk conditions” through the weekend.
“At this time, no power shutoff has been ordered,” Avista stated. “However, customers in the affected area should prepare for the possibility of an outage if weather conditions worsen.”
In the case of a shutoff, power will not be restored until hazardous conditions have passed and crews have had the chance to inspect the affected equipment and power lines.
Customers in the Indian Trail area are encouraged to plan for an extended outage, but if a PSPS does take effect over the weekend, all impacted customers will be directly notified by the company.
“Avista will provide daily updates until the high fire risk has passed or power has been restored,” the company said. “Decisions about a potential PSPS will become clearer with more accurate forecasts on the day of the potential outage.”
Avista encourages those in the public who see a downed powerline to notify them as soon as safely possible.