What is a Public Safety Power Shutoff?
Your energy company may need to shut off power during extreme wildfire weather. This is a Public Safety Power Shutoff, or PSPS and it is a last resort measure to keep communities safe from the threat of wildfire.
How do I prepare for a
Public Safety Power Shutoff?
Severe weather, such as high winds, can cause trees or debris to damage equipment. If there is dry vegetation, this could lead to a wildfire. That’s why we may need to turn power off to keep you safe. This temporary outage is called a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS).
Educating customers and providing resources to be prepared in advance of a Public Safety Power Shutoff or any power outage is important to PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E.
What You Can Do Now:
- Have a personal safety plan in place for every member of your household (including pets).
- Plan for any medical needs like medications that need to be refrigerated or devices that require power.
- Build or restock your emergency supply kit, including food, water, flashlights, a radio, fresh batteries, first aid supplies and cash.
- Identify backup charging methods for phones.
- Learn how to manually open your garage door.
- Check that your backup generator is ready and safe to operate before you need it.
- Safety guidelines and manufacturer's instructions on power sources and emergency supplies are important to be familiar with to protect everyone from improper use.
Do you need electricity for a medical device?
If you rely on electric or battery-dependent medical devices such as breathing machines, a power wheelchair or scooter, home oxygen or dialysis, it is critical that you have a plan in place for an extended Public Safety Power Shutoff.
Your plan should include:
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Emergency physical written phone numbers
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A plan to get to a backup location
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Alerting your energy company of any medical device that is dependent on electricity
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A backup power source, like a generator or other reliable power supply
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A list of contacts that can assist you and know how to operate your emergency equipment
Be Safe
Be sure that you are familiar with all the applicable safety guidelines and manufacturer instructions for backup power sources or other emergency kit supplies. It is important not to put yourself or your family at risk by using these items improperly. Download our generator fact sheet to learn more.
What happens during a
Public Safety Power Shutoff?
Every situation is unique. Your energy company makes the decision to turn off power by monitoring local fire danger conditions across California and taking into consideration a combination of weather and environmental factors, including:
PSPS Process
Notifications (when possible)
What Conditions Could Lead to a PSPS?
Every situation is unique. Your energy company makes the decision to turn off power by monitoring local fire danger conditions across California and taking into consideration a combination of weather and environmental factors.
Your utility provider may initiate PSPS when the weather is forecasted to be so severe that people’s safety, lives, homes, and businesses may be in danger of wildfires. As each weather situation is unique, your utility carefully reviews a combination of factors when deciding if power must be turned off.
These may include, but are not limited to:
LOW HUMIDITY LEVELS
HIGH WINDS AND HIGH WIND GUSTS
RED FLAG WARNING
declared by the National Weather Service
DRY VEGETATION
that could serve as fuel for a wildfire
REAL-TIME OBSERVATIONS
by on-the-ground field experts
Community Resource Centers (CRC)
During PSPS outages, we open Community Resources Centers where customers can access resources and up-to-date information.
Locations
Available Resources
- Resiliency Items
- Bottled water/Snacks
- Cooling/heating*
- Seating*
- Ice*
- Personal and medical device charging
- Mobile battery chargers
- Accessible restroom
- Wi-Fi
- Accessible Communications includes ASL
How long until power is restored?
Power will remain out for as long as extreme and dangerous weather conditions pose a potential fire risk. We know that it is difficult to be without power due to a Public Safety Power Shutoff, but your energy company will be actively inspecting and repairing power lines and equipment so that power can be safely restored as fast as possible.
Depending on the risk of causing more damage, the weather, and other factors, power outages could last several hours or multiple days – so it’s important to have an emergency plan in place.
Notification Timeline (when possible)
Power Outage Maps
Select your electric utility to learn more
Medical devices in your home?
Save money and get additional PSPS notifications
Search for resources in your area
Programs and resources available to support your preparation
Emergency Preparedness Checklist
Be ready for a PSPS
Additional Resource
- California Health and Human Services Public Safety Power Shutoff Resource Guide
- Disaster preparedness information from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- CAL FIRE’s wildfire preparedness
- Information on the CPUC’s wildfire safety efforts
- California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
- California Governor’s Office of Access & Functional Needs
- California Fire Safe Council
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Cal Alerts
PrepareforPowerDown is a partnership between Pacific Gas and Electric Co (PG&E), San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) and Southern California Edison (SCE) and is funded by California utility customers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. All rights reserved.
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