Parts Of Santa Clarita Without Power Amid Concerns Of Fire Danger

SANTA CLARITA, CA — About 200 Santa Clarita Southern California Edison customers were without electricity Thursday over concerns Santa Ana winds would increase fire danger.

The shutoff occurred at 11:30 a.m., said Jeff Monford of Southern California Edison, adding that there was no "solid estimate" of when power would be restored.

"Hopefully, within 24 hours," Monford said. "SCE does not shut off power based only on weather forecasts -- rather, based on actual conditions in the affected areas."

An Edison map indicated that power had been shut off in Porter Ranch, Santa Clarita, Moorpark and Simi Valley.

"We will attempt to restore power to these customers within 24 hours after the weather event ends, and after crews inspect the lines and determine it is safe to re-energize," Monford said.

Shutoffs are designed to reduce the risk of fires caused by electrical equipment when strong winds are forecast. Several large fires in the state have been linked to electrical equipment.

—City News Service