Hawaiian Electric Co. notified West Maui communities Wednesday that they could face intentional extended power outages to prevent wildfires, but rescinded the warning hours later.

A Red Flag Warning issued by the National Weather Service due to high winds and dry conditions triggered the utility to prepare to launch the Public Safety Power Shutoff program created in May, according to HECO spokesperson Darren Pai.

But by 5:30 p.m., improving weather conditions prompted the NWS to cancel the warning.

The power shutoff would have been the first time the utility implemented the program on Maui, Pai said. He added HECO had also announced the possibility of activating the PSPS when Tropical Storm Hone approached Hawaii in August, but it turned out to be unnecessary as well.

The fire-danger conditions and potential power outage resulted in the cancellation of a disaster recovery community update meeting in Lahaina scheduled for Wednesday evening. 

Pai said HECO created the program that turns off power in pre-determined areas of Maui because of an increased awareness of wildfire risks.

“We know that although this is done in the name of safety, if we have to shut off the power proactively, it would be extremely disruptive to the community,” he said.