SCE Warns Of Planned Power Shutoffs Amid IE's Powerful Windstorm

INLAND EMPIRE, CA — Some residents in Riverside and San Bernardino counties received alerts Tuesday from Southern California Edison warning that the utility may shut off their power in the coming days to mitigate fire risk as powerful winds bear down on the region.

"High winds are fire conditions are forecast from Wednesday morning through Thursday evening. We may have to shut off your power to decrease risk of wildfires," the utility said in a text message. "Weather could affect shutoff timing and wind-related outages may also occur."

The utility said it is working to reduce the number of SCE customers affected by the public safety power shutoff (PSPS).

The windstorm forecast across the region Wednesday and Thursday prompted the National Weather Service to issue a red flag warning for heightened fire risk, an air quality alert due to blowing dirt and sand, and a high wind warning with gusts expected up to 60 mph across western Riverside County. Read more: Triple Alerts Issued In Riverside County As Windstorm Set To Bear Down

The pending PSPS comes after some Inland Empire residents lost power last month amid Santa Ana wind conditions.

For more information from SCE about the possible PSPS, click here.