PWP May Need To Shut Off Power To Decrease Fire Risk

According to Pasadena Water and Power, the City may need to implement power shutoffs to decrease the risk of fires.

“The safety of our community is the City of Pasadena’s top priority,” Pasadena Water and Power officials said on Tuesday. “High winds and fire risk conditions are forecasted from Tuesday through Thursday afternoon. Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) may need to implement public safety power shutoffs to decrease potential fire risk. If this occurs, PWP will restore power as soon as it is safe.”

Many local residents received an alert from AT&T regarding possible shutoffs on their cell phones.

“I urge residents to exercise caution as we experience this windstorm if you are able to remain at home and work,” said Mayor Victor Gordo. “You should do so. Be on the lookout for falling trees and limbs and downed power lines, and if you happen to see any of the dangerous situations do not try, and address it yourself. Call 911 or the City’s help line immediately. We will provide more information from the National Weather Service whom we are in constant communication with as it becomes available to us.”

According to the National Weather Service, the strongest winds with this event are expected to be Tuesday afternoon into early Wednesday afternoon when widespread damaging wind gusts of 50 to 80 mph are likely, forecasters said.

“The San Gabriel mountains, Santa Susana mountains, and foothills of the San Gabriel/San Fernando Valleys will likely see areas of destructive wind gusts between 80 and 100 mph. … The strong winds will likely result in widespread downed trees/power lines, as well as widespread power outages.”

According to the National Weather Service, a very strong, widespread, and destructive north to northeast windstorm will bring Extremely Critical fire weather conditions to many areas of Los Angeles and eastern Ventura counties Tuesday afternoon into early Wednesday afternoon.

An out of control fire is currently burning in Pacific Palisades. The fire had burned 200 acres by noon. The area is under evacuation orders.

“This is a particularly dangerous situation,” according to the National Weather Service, who said there was Red Flag Warning event in many areas, with the combination of very strong upper level wind support, tightening offshore pressure gradients and moderate cold air advection.

For information on outages, visit PWPweb.com/