Malibu At Risk Of Power Shutoff Amid Fire Danger

MALIBU, CA — Southern California Edison gave the City of Malibu a 48-hour notice that a power shutoff may be implemented in anticipation of upcoming Santa Ana winds from Thursday, October 10, at 9 p.m. to Friday, October 11, at 9 a.m.

The Public Safety Power Shutoff will affect Western Malibu, if implemented. Residents are encouraged to check on family and neighbors who may need assistance.

"Individuals who are medically dependent on electricity service should consider proactively staying in another area until conditions change," the City of Malibu said. "Residents should monitor local news, including KNX AM-1070 and KBUU 99.1-FM on the radio."

The City of Malibu and the Los Angeles County Fire Department will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as they are received.

Hot weather, low humidity and Santa Ana winds will combine to elevate fire danger across much of Southern California later this week, prompting forecasters to issue a red flag warning.

The National Weather Service originally issued a fire weather watch set to take effect across most of the Southland Wednesday night and continuing until early Friday evening. But on Tuesday, the NWS replaced that watch with a red flag warning, an alert indicating that conditions are ripe for wildfires.

The red flag warning will be in effect from 3 a.m. Thursday to 6 p.m. Friday in the Los Angeles County mountains, Angeles National Forest, Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, the coastal area stretching into downtown Los Angeles and the San Fernando, San Gabriel and Santa Clarita valleys. The warning will also cover all of Orange County and most of Ventura County and the Los Padres National Forest.

"A moderate to strong Santa Ana wind event will bring widespread critical fire weather conditions over most of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties early Thursday through late Friday afternoon," according to the NWS. "Wind gusts between 45 and 70 mph are expected during the Thursday mid-morning to mid- afternoon peak. Minimum humidities in the 3 to 10 percent range will be common. With dry fuel conditions established, critical fire weather conditions are expected."

Forecasters noted that "if fire ignition occurs, conditions may be favorable for extreme fire behavior, which would threaten life and property."

The possibility of increased fire conditions prompted Southern California Edison to warn customers about potential "Public Safety Power Shutoffs" aimed at reducing the risk fires. Edison officials noted that the power cuts — which would de-energize lines that might be in danger of being damaged and igniting fires in high-wind conditions — are only "under consideration."

Cal Fire announced that it is increasing staffing over the coming days to be prepared for potential wildfires.

"With some of the most destructive and deadliest fires occurring October through December, we need Californians to not be complacent," Cal Fire Chief Thom Porter said. "Wind-driven fires move fast, and residents need to be ready to evacuate at a moment's notice in the event of a wildfire. We have increased our staffing, but need the public to remain vigilant. It is important to follow evacuation orders and leave early as fires move very fast under these conditions."

City News Service contributed to this post