Power Shutoff Threatens Wide Swaths Of SoCal, Thousands Without Electricity

Power has been cut to thousands of residents across Southern California amid ongoing Santa Ana winds, and thousands more are at risk of having their electricity turned off through Wednesday night.

According to Southern California Edison, a Public Safety Power Shutoff could occur at any time Tuesday through 3 p.m. Wednesday.

As of 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, SCE reported the following PSPS outages:

• Los Angeles County: 62 customers
• Riverside County: 9 customers
• San Bernardino County: 586 customers
• Ventura County: 1514 customers

Additionally, another 22,362 shutoffs across SoCal were being considered Wednesday morning:

• Los Angeles County: 4089 customers
• Orange County: 10 customers
• Riverside County: 5497 customers
• San Bernardino County: 8206 customers
• Ventura County: 4560 customers

A PSPS occurs when SCE temporarily shuts off power for a period of time to reduce the risk of a wildfire caused by utility equipment. Dangerous fire weather conditions — which include strong winds, dry vegetation, and low humidity — drive PSPS events, according to the utility.

Red Flag warnings are in effect through 6 p.m. Wednesday for parts of the San Gabriel Mountains, Santa Susana Mountains and southeastern Ventura County.

The National Weather Service has forecast wind gusts between 25 and 45 mph with humidity levels between 5 and 15%

"Santa Ana Winds will continue today, bringing very warm temperatures to the coast and valleys. These winds across the typical wind-prone corridor of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties will result produce areas of critical fire weather conditions," the NWS wrote Wednesday.

Heat Advisories are in effect in inland Orange County, the Inland Empire and San Diego County valleys.