SDG&E Shutoffs: Power Fully Restored In Encinitas

UPDATE:

As of 2:15 p.m. Thursday, more than 16,000 customers — about 66 percent of those affected by the power shutoffs — now have electric service, according to SDG&E.

Communities that have had power restored partially or fully include: Alpine*, Dulzura*, El Cajon, Encinitas*, Escondido, Fallbrook, Julian, Mount Laguna*, Pala, Poway*, Ramona, Rancho Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Fe*, unincorporated area east of San Juan Capistrano, San Pasqual and Sycuan reservations, and Valley Center. (*fully restored).

About 8,000 customers remain without power due to the planned outages, according to SDG&E.

ENCINITAS, CA — Power has been restored to thousands of San Diego Gas & Electric customers, but around 19,000 customers — including customers in Encinitas — remained in the dark Thursday morning after the utility company cut the power Wednesday due to strong Santa Ana winds and ripe fire weather conditions.

Major utility companies in California have been shutting off power proactively to prevent wildfires after utility lines started massively deadly and destructive fires over the last two years.

In anticipation of dangerous fire weather conditions this week, SDG&E announced roughly 41,000 customers in high fire risk areas could face public safety power shutoffs.

Also see: Red Flag Warning Remains In Effect Thursday In San Diego County

On Wednesday, SDG&E turned off the power to roughly 25,000 customers in San Diego and Orange counties. By Wednesday night, however, improved weather conditions in portions of the utility's service territory permitted SDG&E to restore power to about 6,000 customers.

"While the patrolling and restoration process began earlier today for areas that were experiencing better weather, extreme weather in other areas remained," SDG&E officials said Wednesday. "For the restoration process to continue tomorrow, weather must improve, and our field crews must have daylight to visually inspect all de-energized power lines."

As of 4 a.m. Thursday, about 19,000 customers remained without power as a result of the planned shutoffs. The following communities were still affected:

• Alpine
• Boulevard
• Campo
• Descanso
• Dulzura
• Encinitas (portions of)
• Escondido (portions of)
• Fallbrook
• Julian
• Mount Laguna
• Pala
• Pauma Valley
• Pine Valley
• Potrero
• Poway (portions of)
• Rainbow
• Ramona
• Rancho Bernardo (portions of)
• Rancho Santa Fe (portions of)
• Santa Ysabel
• Valley Center
• Portions of the Campo, Cuyapaipe, La Jolla, La Posta, Manzanita, Mesa Grande, Rincon, Santa Ysabel and Viejas reservations

SDG&E opened six Community Resource Centers and two Community Information Centers Thursday morning.

Community Resource Centers: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

With the exception of the Julian site, all Community Resource Centers will have ice and a water truck for large animals, according to SDG&E. In addition, these sites will offer snacks, bottled water and up-to-date information, as well as a place for people to charge their phone.

• Descanso Branch Library: 9545 River Drive, Descanso, CA 91916
• Whispering Winds Catholic Camp: 17606 Harrison Park Road, Julian, CA 92036
• Potrero Community Center: 24550 Highway 94, Potrero, CA 91963
• Pine Valley Improvement Club: 28890 Old Highway 80, Pine Valley, CA 91962
• Dulzura Community Center: 1136 Community Building Road, Dulzura, CA 91917
• Lake Morena Community Church: 29765 Oak Drive, Campo, CA 91906

Community Information Centers: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

These facilities will provide information updates only.

• Ramona Branch Library, 1275 Main St., Ramona, CA 92065
• Valley Center Branch Library, 29200 Cole Grade Road, Valley, Center CA 92082

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SDG&E Shutoffs: 25,000 Customers Without Power