SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – San Diego Gas & Electric reported on Tuesday that they have been closely monitoring the weather over the past week, and they will remain vigilant until the end of this week.
Due to potential wind conditions, SDG&E indicated that over 65,000 customers may face power shutdowns as a precaution against wildfire risks.
The National Weather Service has declared a red flag warning for San Diego County, effective from early Wednesday morning until Thursday.
According to the utility, this marks the driest start to the rainy season that San Diego County has encountered in 174 years.
Power shutoffs are a familiar occurrence for residents in the northern and eastern parts of the county.
This time, SDG&E emphasizes that the weather event extends for a longer duration compared to previous incidents that prompted power outages.
“We have a fire potential index that identifies extreme days. This is the first extreme day we’ve witnessed in January, and it’s also a series of consecutive extreme days. We are entering an unprecedented level of fire risk,” stated Brian D’Agostino, Vice President of Wildfire and Climate Science for SDG&E.
SDG&E acknowledged that the wind event in December was significant.
However, the current situation presents multiple days of wind with minimal breaks in between.
Hence, SDG&E aims to inform the public so that individuals can prepare for potential power outages to safeguard both people and property.
Some residents have inquired why their power is shut off if their lines are underground.
This is because underground lines can still receive power from overhead lines that are at risk of being turned off due to the wind.
“We recognize that can be incredibly frustrating. Our engineering teams are actively working to identify any opportunities to reroute power and minimize the impact,” the utility explained.
A captain from Cal Fire San Diego noted that the fuel levels in the foothills are currently below a critical threshold, given the prevailing dry conditions.
He mentioned that crews spent the day preparing their equipment and themselves to combat fires for several hours, if not days!
Cal Fire has deployed additional strike teams from Northern California to assist in San Diego County.
“Typically, our most intense Santa Ana winds occur during this season, particularly in December, January, and February. This year is especially risky due to the lack of rain that usually falls in November and December, leading to lower fuel moisture levels,” Captain Mike Cornette of Cal Fire San Diego stated.
Cal Fire advises that if a fire occurs, residents should be ready to evacuate if they are nearby, as fires can escalate very rapidly.
