Southern California Faces Power Outages Amid Wildfire Risks

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Dry conditions in Southern California lead to public safety power shutoffs.

News Summary

Southern California is grappling with widespread power outages caused by utilities implementing safety shutoffs to mitigate wildfire risks amid dry conditions and high winds. Southern California Edison and Bear Valley Electric have left thousands without power while ongoing adverse weather conditions raise concerns for more outages. Residents are urged to stay vigilant as public safety shutoffs may continue throughout the peak wildfire season.

Southern California is experiencing widespread power outages due to public safety shutoffs aimed at preventing potential wildfires. Thousands of residents have been left without electricity as utility companies take precautionary measures in the face of severe dry conditions and strong winds that raise wildfire risks.

Southern California Edison (SCE) has reported outages impacting 3,000 customers across Los Angeles and Kern counties. In the Big Bear area, Bear Valley Electric has shut off power to more than 5,000 customers, with outages that began on Friday and are expected to last until Sunday. Additionally, over 15,000 customers in Orange, Los Angeles, and Kern counties remain at risk for further shutoffs due to ongoing adverse weather conditions.

According to SCE, factors considered for initiating power shutoffs include wind gusts, the dryness of vegetation, and humidity levels. The landscape throughout Southern California is notably dry, with drought conditions ranging from extreme to moderate as per the U.S. Drought Monitor. This rising drought intensity has heightened the risk of wildfires, particularly in light of several severe wildfires that occurred in January.

The San Bernardino County Fire Department is actively responding to areas impacted by wildfires, including a recent 6-acre blaze that closed Highway 330. To mitigate fire risks, SCE employs public safety power shutoffs proactively in high-risk areas. The restoration of power after a shutdown necessitates thorough inspections for any damage before services can be resumed.

Residents are reminded to maintain a safe distance of at least 100 feet from downed power lines and to report any hazards immediately by calling emergency services.

Furthermore, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) reports that over 2,000 customers in San Luis Obispo County are also experiencing outages due to similar safety measures. PG&E indicates that 557 customers lost power during an outage watch, while additional planned outages have affected customers in northern San Luis Obispo County. Specifically, 1,505 customers in Arroyo Grande and 379 customers in Los Osos have been impacted, but power is expected to be restored to most affected customers by midday.

In Santa Barbara County, more than 550 SCE customers are currently without power, with nearly 11,000 more under consideration for shutoff due to the same public safety concerns. In response to the outages, several Resource Centers have been established for residents in Santa Barbara County and Goleta to offer assistance and information during this challenging time.

Utility companies have indicated that further public safety shutoffs may become necessary as the summer progresses, marking the peak of wildfire season in Southern California. As conditions remain variable and potentially hazardous, residents are encouraged to stay informed about weather forecasts and prepare for the possibility of additional outages.