Southern California Edison warns of potential wildfire-related power shutoffs

By Varun Sahay

Oct 14 (Reuters) - An Edison International-owned EIX.N electric utility could shut off power for up to 245,700 customers in parts of Southern California to reduce wildfire risk, the largest number under consideration for a potential public safety outage this year.

Southern California Edison said on Wednesday strong winds and dry conditions in portions of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Kern and Tulare counties could increase wildfire risk between Wednesday and Friday.

Here are more details:

• Southern California Edison has not yet decided whether to implement shutoffs and said the decision would be based on real-time weather and wildfire conditions

• The utility said it monitors wind speeds, vegetation dryness and relative humidity when evaluating potential shutoffs

• Southern California Edison uses about 2,000 weather stations, 200 wildfire cameras and ground patrols to monitor high fire-risk areas

• If shutoffs are implemented, crews will inspect power lines and equipment before restoring service — a process that typically takes up to eight hours, but could be longer if damage is found or additional inspections are required

• The utility said wildfire mitigation efforts include undergrounding power lines and installing covered conductors to reduce wildfire risk and the need for future shutoffs

• "We have a responsibility to keep our community safe from the devastating impacts of wildfires," Southern California Edison spokesperson David Eisenhauer told Reuters

• "PSPS (public safety power shutoff) significantly reduces the risk that equipment could start an ignition during extreme weather," Eisenhauer said