CALABASAS, CA — Power could be cut to parts of Malibu within hours Wednesday morning, with Calabasas, Agoura Hills and communities in the surrounding Santa Monica Mountains facing the threat of similar shutoffs as early as Thursday morning as powerful Santa Ana winds bring dangerous wildfire conditions to the region.
Southern California Edison warned Malibu officials that it would likely shut off electricity to the city's Merlin circuit by approximately 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. With the strongest winds expected Thursday and Friday, Calabasas, Agoura Hills and nearby mountain communities could be next in line for preventive power shutoffs as wildfire danger intensifies.
The warning comes as nearly 90,000 Los Angeles County customers face possible Public Safety Power Shutoffs this week, more than double the number the utility estimated a day before.
In many cases, customers were being warned to expect possible shutoffs beginning Thursday. That includes circuits in Calabasas and Agoura Hills. But in some areas, such as Malibu and the Santa Monica Mountains, the potential shutoffs were set to begin earlier.
In the Malibu area, six electrical circuits could be affected over the coming days: Cuthbert, Galahad, Maguire, Merlin, Serra and Tuna. The Serra and Tuna circuits were newly added to the list of possible shutoffs, city officials said Wednesday morning.
The outages are intended to prevent electrical equipment from sparking wildfires during dangerous weather conditions, according to SCE.
Not everyone identified as being at risk of a shutoff will necessarily lose power. Edison makes shutoff decisions based on changing weather conditions, and the number of affected customers can fluctuate throughout the day.
The growing threat of power outages comes as Southern California braces for a dramatic weather shift, with scorching temperatures, powerful Santa Ana winds and dangerously low humidity expected to create critical wildfire conditions across the region.
The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for large portions of Los Angeles County, including Malibu, the Santa Monica Mountains, Calabasas and several inland valleys.
Forecasters warned that wind gusts could approach 50 mph in some communities, with gusts reaching 70 mph in particularly vulnerable mountain areas.
Meanwhile, temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 80s and mid-90s in coastal and valley communities by Friday. Humidity could fall into the single digits in some areas, rapidly drying vegetation despite the recent wet weather.
The combination of strong winds, heat and low humidity could allow fires to ignite and spread rapidly.
Malibu officials warned residents to prepare for power outages, disruptions to cellphone service and traffic signals, and possible evacuations.
Residents were urged to charge their phones, keep vehicles fueled, prepare emergency supplies and review evacuation routes.
Officials also urged residents to avoid activities that could create sparks and to call 911 immediately to report smoke or fire.
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