SDG&E Public Safety Power Shutoffs Possible In San Diego County

SAN DIEGO — As more than a half million people in Northern California face planned power outages beginning Wednesday amid strong winds and fire weather conditions, San Diego Gas & Electric warned some San Diego County residents they could also be subject to public safety power shutoffs.

Also see: Over 500,000 Without Power In CA As PG&E Starts Power Shutdowns

Moderately strong Santa Ana winds and extremely low humidity prompted the National Weather Service to issue a red flag warning for some parts of San Diego County. The red flag warning will be in effect from noon Thursday to 6 p.m. Friday for the inland valleys and mountains.

Related: Increased Fire Danger Expected In San Diego County

In response to the critical fire weather conditions, SDG&E notified roughly 30,000 customers in the fire-prone eastern and northern parts of the county that it may suspend their electrical service at times over the period to reduce combustion hazards posed by power lines. (See a map of affected areas.)

The following communities should be prepared for possible power outages, according to SDG&E:

• Alpine
• Banner Grade
• Boulevard
• Descanso
• Fallbrook
• Julian
• Mesa Grande
• Mount Laguna
• Palomar Mountain
• Pine Valley
• Potrero
• Ramona
• Rancho Santa Fe
• Rincon
• Santa Ysabel
• Valley Center
• Viejas

There was no immediate timeline of when the outages could start or end.

The utility plans to provide updated notifications to customers within 24 hours of an anticipated power-down, and again within one to four hours of a shutoff, if possible. If power is turned off, it will remain off as long as winds pose a safety risk near and around electric infrastructure, according to SDG&E.

SDG&E advised customers who received the notification to be prepared, making sure they have emergency supplies such as water, food, flashlights, extra batteries and cellphone battery packs.

Should any precautionary power shutoff last for more than 24 hours, the utility plans to open temporary aid centers where customers can get water and snacks, charge cellphones and receive updates.

Residents can sign up for emergency alerts online at sdge.com/MyAccount.

The strongest winds over the period are expected Thursday night through Friday morning. Daytime humidity levels are likely to fall to 5 to 10 percent Thursday and remain at the lower end of that spectrum on Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

Combustion hazards are expected to be "marginal" Thursday and "moderate" Friday, according to the Santa Ana Wildfire Threat Index.

City News Service contributed to this report.