LEWISTOWN — Strong wind. Extreme dryness. High fuel loads. These are the conditions that make emergency service providers worry about wildfires.

They are also conditions that could lead to electric power lines being shut off for safety reasons.

NorthWestern Energy’s Wildfire Public Information officer Max Rebholz recently explained the program to the Lewistown Emergency Planning Committee members. According to Rebholz, the Public Safety Power Shutoff plan is a last resort, aimed at preventing power lines from starting fires. It’s also a means of protecting the power company’s assets from fire.

The program started in 2024. NorthWestern Energy staff are now making a point to inform local emergency planning committees across the state about how the program would work.

Rebholz said there a

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