Amidst the devastating wildfires raging through Southern California, over 400,000 homes, businesses, and other power customers found themselves without electricity on Wednesday, as reported by PowerOutage.us. The majority of these outages are concentrated in Ventura and Los Angeles counties, the areas most severely impacted by the wildfires.
Many of these customers had their power intentionally cut off by Southern California Edison, with more than 148,000 customers affected by these 'public safety power shutoffs.' The rationale behind these deliberate outages is to prevent the electric system from potentially igniting fires during hazardous weather conditions.
Southern California Edison emphasized that these safety shutoffs are a measure of last resort aimed at ensuring the safety of both individuals and communities. In addition to the 148,000 intentional outages, the company is contemplating implementing public safety power shutoffs for an additional 400,000 customers.
By temporarily shutting off power in high-risk areas, the utility company aims to mitigate the risk of wildfires being sparked by electrical infrastructure. This proactive approach is crucial in safeguarding lives and properties during times of heightened fire danger.
As the wildfires continue to pose a significant threat to Southern California, residents are urged to stay informed, follow evacuation orders, and cooperate with authorities to ensure their safety. The collaborative efforts of utility providers, emergency services, and the community are essential in managing and mitigating the impact of these devastating wildfires.
