Public Safety Power Shutoffs Possible Across SoCal This Week

LOS ANGELES, CA — Over 170,000 Southern California Edison customers in five counties may have their power shut off this week as high winds and dry conditions bring an elevated fire risk to the region.

SoCal Edison implements what it calls Public Safety Power Shutoffs in high-risk fire areas to prevent sparks from its equipment from igniting wildfires.

The utility is considering implementing shutoffs this week in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. Over 170,000 customers could be impacted, totaling 3.4 percent of SoCal Edison's ratepayers, according to the utility.

The utility began considering shutoffs in certain areas at 3 a.m. Monday. Shutoffs will be possible through 9 a.m. Thursday.

Impacted communities include those in the Santa Monica Mountains, like Malibu and Calabasas; Trabuco Canyon, Jurupa Valley, the Pass Area and Hemet.

San Diego Gas and Electric is not considering any shutoffs as of Monday morning.

The possible shutoffs are planned as the National Weather Service has forecast moderate Santa Ana winds across much of Southern California early this week. Locally, wind gusts could be as stronger: As strong as 80 mph in the mountains and 55 mph in the valleys.

Red Flag warnings and fire weather watches are in effect for the San Gabriel Mountains, Santa Monica Mountains, Santa Ana Mountains San Fernando Valley, Santa Ana Mountains, parts of the Inland Empire and San Bernardino Mountains through Thursday.

More information about public safety power shutoffs is available on SoCal Edison's website.