Malibu Power Shutoffs: What To Know During This Week's Fire Weather

MALIBU, CA — Malibu residents may have their power shut off this week as Santa Ana winds and dry conditions bring an elevated fire risk to the area.

Southern California 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 ready to implement shutoffs this week across much of the Malibu area, according to the company.

The window of time the shutoffs are possible vary depending on the exact area, but generally they're possible any time this week until 9 p.m. Thursday. Information about times specific areas could be impacted is available on SCE's website.

In the Malibu area, the Nicholas, Cuthbert and Maguire circuits are impacted. Here are SCE maps of those areas:

The vote center at Malibu City Hall will remain open in the event of a power shutoff, thanks to backup generator power. Vote centers are also equipped with backup power for voting equipment — if those should fail, voting would continue with paper ballots, according to the city.

A Red Flag warning, indicating critical fire danger, is in effect until 6 p.m. Monday for the Malibu coast and nearby Santa Monica Mountains, according to the National Weather Service.

Gusts topping 50 mph were recorded early Monday in the Santa Monica Mountains. Gusts between 30 and 50 mph are expected in the Malibu coast and up to 70 mph in the mountains, according to the NWS.

Humidity levels are forecast to fall below 20 percent Monday afternoon, exacerbating the fire risk.

A fire weather watch is in effect for the area through Thursday afternoon, though forecasters expect to upgrade that to a more severe Red Flag warning as time goes on.

In the event of a power shutoff, SoCal Edison launches community resource centers and vehicles to support customers in impacted areas. They provide information, snacks, resiliency kits, and a chance to charge devices.

A resource area has been set up at the Calabasas Community Center at 27040 Malibu Hills Road.

The city issued the following tips to residents amid this week's forecast:

• Come to a complete stop at all malfunctioning traffic signals
• Charge phones, laptops and other devices
• Keep vehicle gas tanks filled
• Check on elderly or disabled neighbors
• Ensure electric garage doors or gates can open
• Monitor weather and emergency information on 99.1 FM KBUU