Update: Sept.29 The Red Flag Warning declared by the National Weather Service expired at 5 p.m. today
Due to improved fire weather conditions, SDG&E did not implement any Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) in recent days although, we notified approximately 700 backcountry customers over the weekend that they could be at risk of PSPS.
The Red Flag Warning declared by the National Weather Service expired at 5 p.m. today, and we have deactivated our Emergency Operations Center.
Although Public Safety Power Shutoffs did not happen in our region, there were unplanned outages that affected 1,800 SDG&E customers in High Fire Threat District communities, such as Alpine, Campo, the Campo Reservation, Dulzura and Boulevard. During high wind conditions, winds can blow debris into the powerlines, like tumbleweeds, Mylar balloons and tarps, etc., leading to unplanned outages. SDG&E crews worked as safely and quickly as possible to inspect and repair the lines and have restored service to those affected.
We appreciate our customers’ patience and understanding. We also urge everyone to download the newly released Alerts by SDG&E app, which provides the latest information on PSPS, as well as non-PSPS related power outages. The app (sdge.com/pspsapp) is available on the App Store and Google Play.
To learn more about SDG&E’s extensive wildfire safety efforts, visit sdge.com/wildfiresafety. For ongoing updates about PSPS, please visit sdgenews.com or follow SDG&E’s Twitter channel @SDGE.
Update: Sept. 28 Red Flag Warning Extended Until 5 p.m. Tuesday
Although Santa Ana winds have weakened, the National Weather Service has extended its Red Flag Warning until 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Due to the weakening wind forecast SDG&E does not anticipate implementing Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) today.
We will continue to monitor weather and fire conditions closely throughout the duration of the Red Flag Warning, given expected weak Santa Ana wind conditions and high temperatures in the region, and notify customers if the situation changes.
According to our forecasts, the community of Descanso could still be impacted overnight into tomorrow due to forecasted winds in the area. If a PSPS event is called SDG&E will notify residents via phone, text messages and email that it may have to turn off power to reduce wildfire risk.
On Monday morning, power was restored to customers in the communities of Alpine, Campo and the Campo Reservation who experienced an unplanned outage overnight unrelated to PSPS.
To enhance customer awareness of when the weather changes and becomes dangerous quickly, SDG&E recently released a new PSPS app (sdge.com/pspsapp), which is available on the App Store and Google Play. To learn more about SDG&E’s extensive wildfire safety efforts, visit sdge.com/wildfiresafety. For ongoing updates about PSPS, please visit sdgenews.com or follow SDG&E’s Twitter channel @SDGE.
Update: Sept. 27 Santa Ana Winds and High Fire Danger Forecasted
Due to elevated fire weather conditions and forecasted Santa Ana winds, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has notified certain backcountry residents that it may have to turn off power in order to reduce wildfire risk in the coming days. Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) are approved by state regulators as an important safety tool to mitigate fire risk during dangerous weather conditions.
The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for Monday for inland San Diego County mountains and foothills. Weak to moderate strength Santa Ana winds are expected to arrive today, peak Monday morning in strength and become weak to moderate by the end of the day. In preparation, SDG&E has activated its Emergency Operations Center to monitor conditions 24/7 and has organized personnel and pre-staged materials and equipment for response.
Yesterday, SDG&E sent PSPS notifications to approximately 700 customers at risk of Public Safety Power Shutoffs via phone, text messages and email. Customers who were notified should be prepared to activate their personal emergency plan to keep their family, pets and livestock safe. SDG&E will continue to provide customers with updates when there is more certainty about forecasted weather conditions.
SDG&E has been a leader in wildfire safety innovations for more than a decade. Since 2007, it has invested more than $2 billion in system hardening, situational awareness, and customer outreach and communications programs to help prevent catastrophic wildfires. Using sophisticated weather, fire and vegetation monitoring tools, as well as supercomputers to run fire simulations and predictive analytics, SDG&E can pinpoint which circuits or segments of power lines are most at risk. A list of areas at risk of PSPS is available at sdge.com/ready. SDG&E’s network of 230 weather stations located throughout its service territory provides grid operators with real-time data on wind, temperature and humidity conditions and help them decide when and whether to de-energize power lines to maintain safety.
To enhance customer awareness of when the weather changes and becomes dangerous quickly, SDG&E recently released a new PSPS app (sdge.com/pspsapp), which is available on the App Store and Google Play.
To learn more about SDG&E’s extensive wildfire safety efforts, visit sdge.com/wildfiresafety.
For ongoing updates about PSPS, please visit sdgenews.com or follow SDG&E’s Twitter channel @SDGE.
SDG&E is an innovative San Diego-based energy company that provides clean, safe and reliable energy to better the lives of the people it serves in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The company is committed to creating a sustainable future by providing its electricity from renewable sources; modernizing natural gas pipelines; accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles; supporting numerous non-profit partners; and, investing in innovative technologies to ensure the reliable operation of the region’s infrastructure for generations to come. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE). For more information, visit SDGEnews.com or connect with SDG&E on Twitter (@SDGE), Instagram (@SDGE) and Facebook.
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