Your energy company may need to shut off power during extreme weather or wildfire conditions to keep the community safe. This is a Public Safety Power Shutoff, or PSPS.
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 SDG&E, SCE and PG&E.
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.
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.
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:
~48 hours before power is turned off
~24 hours before power is turned off
~12 hours before power is turned off
1-4 hours before power is turned off
Initiation of the PSPS
Activation of CRC(s)
Safety inspections begin
Power restoration as needed
Once power has been restored
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.
declared by the National Weather Service
that could serve as fuel for a wildfire
by on-the-ground field experts
During PSPS outages, we open Community Resources Centers where customers can access resources and up-to-date information.
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.
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