Power Shutoffs Begin As Santa Ana Winds Elevate Fire Danger In San Diego County

SAN DIEGO, CA — Dry and windy conditions have increased fire danger across San Diego County, prompting public safety power shutoffs in parts of the region.

San Diego Gas and Electric warned thousands of residents this week that the utility company may shut off their power to mitigate fire risk due to elevated fire weather conditions and forecasted Santa Ana winds.

Since Monday, SDG&E has made calls and sent emails and text messages to about 24,700 customers in the backcountry who may be affected by the shutoffs.

As of Thursday morning, the company had cut power to 1,263 customers in the Boulevard, Campo, Descanso, Jamul, Potrero and Viejas Reservation areas. Another 23,546 customers could be affected by the outages, according to SDG&E. (See the list of potentially impacted communities here.)

The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for inland and coastal Orange County and San Diego County valleys and mountains through Friday morning. Gusty Santa Ana winds were expected to arrive Tuesday night and last until Thursday evening.

Customers who were notified should be prepared to be without power through Friday, according to SDG&E.