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Fire Weather Conditions Open Door To Possible Public Safety Power Shutdowns On Central, South Coasts

As we move into the peak time of year for Santa Ana winds, the state’s big power companies are using Public Safety Power Shutoffs in high brush fire danger areas during peak threat periods. What exactly does it mean?

Mary Ann Milbourn is with Southern California Edison. She says they targeted shutoffs are intended to reduce the risk of power lines starting a brush fires in high risk areas during potentially dangerous fire weather events.

Milbourn says Edison doesn’t take the decision lightly. She says they have a number of resources available to help assess the risk, including remote sensing weather gear and video cameras. The shutdowns are the last resort.

Earlier this month, during a high brush fire danger day, a shutdown was ordered for the first time in Santa Barbara County, mostly affecting the foothills west of Goleta. The power was out for several hours.

Milbourn says they are trying to keep the areas of shutoffs focused, and not widespread outages. And, the intent is to try to provide customers with 24 hours notice, although that much time may not always be possible.

Longer term, Milbourn says the utility company is working on ways to make the power grid more resistant to wind. It includes using insulated power lines, and more weather resistant power pokes. But, she says people who love in potential brush fire areas need to be prepared for the potential of power shutoffs. Outages could be for hours, but might actually last for a few days.

Milbourn says it’s important that SCE customers sign up so they can be in the information loop about potential public safety power shutoffs.

Customers can sign up to receive SCE outage alerts by phone, email or text at www.sce.com/outagealerts or by calling customer service at 800-655-4555.

PG & E Public Safety Power Shutoff information:  www.pge.com/en_US/safety/emergency-preparedness/natural-disaster/wildfires/public-safety-power-shutoff-faq.page

Lance Orozco has been News Director of KCLU since 2001, providing award-winning coverage of some of the biggest news events in the region, including the Thomas and Woolsey brush fires, the deadly Montecito debris flow, the Borderline Bar and Grill attack, and Ronald Reagan's funeral. 
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