As California’s climate changes, fire season is becoming a year-long battle against stronger, faster wildfires. During high fire risk weather conditions, SDG&E may need to use Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), a last resort tool, to help prevent our electric system from starting a utility-related wildfire and keep our local residents and communities safe.

Before we make the decision to initiate a PSPS, SDG&E evaluates several factors, including wind speeds, vegetation moisture, temperature, humidity, field observations by SDG&E crews and information from fire agencies. We continuously monitor these factors using our utility-owned weather network, which includes more than 220 weather stations near fire-prone areas.

If a PSPS is necessary, we communicate with public safety authorities, first responders and the affected communities. This includes notifying our customers in advance via call, text and email – 72 hours, 48 hours, 24 hours and again prior to shutting off power, where conditions allow. Customers can also find outage updates throughout a PSPS on our social media channels, local news, radio, our website, Alerts by SDG&E mobile app, and through some community partner organizations.

To learn more about Public Safety Power Shutoffs click here.

For a list of frequently asked questions, click here.

To learn more about SDG&E's commitment to wildfire safety, click here.