20K without power, schools closed for fire danger blackouts

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SAN DIEGO — More than 20,000 San Diego Gas & Electric customers were without power Wednesday as the utility prepared for another round of extreme fire danger. Forecasters said Santa Ana winds with potential to be the strongest of the season would begin gusting overnight and last through Thursday evening. The winds, combined with dry weather, prompted a Red Flag Warning. As utilities across the state have done this fire season, SDG&E began shutting down power to reduce the likelihood of faulty or damaged equipment sparking a wildfire. As of 9 p.m., 20,240 residents and businesses in communities including El Cajon, Escondido, Fallbrook, Alpine, Ramona, Julian, Valley Center, Poway and Campo were without power. Find a detailed list of the affected communities here.

The utility warned as many as 40,869 residents and businesses could lose electricity during the Red Flag period. When the utility used precautionary power shutoffs around the county last week, nearly 20,000 residents and businesses were without power at the shutdown’s peak. SDG&E will provide updated notifications to customers within 24 hours of an anticipated power shutoff and again within one to four hours of a shutoff. The utility advised those who receive the notification to be prepared, making sure they have such emergency supplies as water, food, flashlights, extra batteries and cellphone battery packs. Should any precautionary power shut-off last for more than 24 hours, the utility plans to open temporary aid centers where customers can get water and snacks, charge their cellphones, and get updates. Residents can sign up for emergency alerts here.

Be careful on the roads! We are already seeing dead streetlights on Highway 67 due to the power outages. Stay alert. #FOX5SanDiego pic.twitter.com/E9ODKoTZxU
— Liberty Zabala FOX 5 (@Liberty_Zabala) October 30, 2019

In Northern California, Pacific Gas & Electric has been held legally responsible for devastating wildfires, leading to widespread precautionary outages in the region this year. An in Los Angeles, officials learned the destructive Getty Fire was caused by a tree branch falling on power lines.

Power shutoff areas

The following communities could be affected by outages in San Diego:

Alpine
Boulevard
Campo
Descanso
Dulzura
El Cajon (portions of)
Encinitas (portions of)
Escondido (portions of)
Jacumba
Jamul (portions of)
Julian
Lakeside (portions of)
Mount Laguna
Pala
Palomar Mountain
Pauma Valley
Pine Valley
Potrero
Poway
Ramona
Ranchita
Rancho Bernardo (portions of)
Rancho Santa Fe (portions of)
San Clemente (unincorporated area east of)
San Juan Capistrano (unincorporated area east of)
San Marcos (portions of)
Santa Ysabel
Valley Center (portions of)
Warner Springs

School district closures

The following school districts will be closed on Thursday in anticipation of power shut-offs:

Dehesa School District
Julian Union High School District
Julian Union School District
Mountain Empire Unified School District
Rancho Santa Fe School District
Spencer Valley School District
Vallecitos School District (will also be closed Friday)
Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District

The following school districts were closed Wednesday in anticipation of power shut-offs:

Dehesa School District
Julian Union High School District
Julian Union School District
Mountain Empire Unified School District
Rancho Santa Fe School District
Spencer Valley School District
Warner Unified School District
Vallecitos School District

The following schools were also closed Wednesday:

Escondido Union School District: Conway Elementary
Escondido Union High School District: Del Lago Academy
San Marcos Unified School District: Double Peak, San Elijo Elementary and San Elijo Middle School