Thousands Without Power In SoCal From Wildfire Safety Shutoffs

BEAUMONT, CA — Thousands of Southern California Edison customers remained without electric service on Thursday evening amid public safety power shutdowns because of strong Santa Ana winds and wildfire concerns.

Southern California Edison was reporting 65,497 public safety shutoffs, with another 168,280 possible between Thursday evening and Friday, as officials try to reduce the danger of wildfires sparked by downed power lines.

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Of the company's 5 million customers, there were 15,612 in Los Angeles County, 4,127 in Orange, 20,322 in Riverside, 8,982 in San Bernadino and 16,454 out in Ventura County as of 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

"If your power has been shut off, we will restore power as soon as the weather conditions permit, and crews have inspected the power lines," the company's website says. "Changes to weather, line damage, and other conditions may require additional time before service can be safely restored."

You can check if your home is under consideration for a shutoff via the SoCal Edison's PSPS website here.

Southern California Edison had announced the possibility of public safety power shutoffs for the area, including much of the Pass Area, amid high wind warnings for portions of the San Bernardino mountains, Riverside County mountains, Santa Ana Mountains, Los Angeles County, Ventura County, the Inland Empire, San Diego County, Inland Orange County and the San Gorgonio Pass.

Residents living in the mentioned areas can expect Santa Ana winds ranging from 20-50 miles per hour. Those living below the Cajon, Santa Ana mountains and San Gorgonio passes may see isolated gusts up to 60 miles per hour.

Winds were predicted to be the strongest through Thursday morning. The National Weather Services advised Pass Area residents that any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly, and residents were urged to avoid lighting campfires, using any mowing, weed-whacking or welding equipment, target shooting, driving near dry grass or smoking in areas with dry vegetation.

At least two wildfires popped up on Thursday but both were quickly contained, with a fire near the Lopez Canyon Landfill contained to a half-acre and one in San Diego County limited to 18 acres.

In 2021, some 8,367 wildfires have charred 3,083,507 acres in California. Three people have died in wildfires this year and 3,629 structures have been destroyed.