More than 700,000 Southern California residents are facing blackouts as near-hurricane-force winds batter the state, whipping the flames of two wildfires and raising the risk of new ones. Edison International turned off power to more than 16,000 customers in parts of the region Monday and warned that an additional 192,000 homes and businesses in nine counties may eventually lose electricity. That would amount to nearly 600,000 people, based on the size of the average household. Sempra Energy’s San Diego utility could cut power to an additional 150,000 people.
Wind warnings stretch across almost the entire state. Southern California may get gusts of up to 70 miles (113 kilometers) per hour from Santa Ana winds that are expected to gain strength overnight and into Tuesday morning. Red-flag fire warnings extend north almost as far as Redding as a low-pressure system sweeps down, driving dry winds along with it. More than three-quarters of the state is in drought, exacerbating the threat of blazes.
Two fires in the state have ripped through more than 8,400 acres, including the Bond Fire that’s been burning since last week and is about 60% contained.
PG&E Corp., which operates in Northern and Central California, warned Sunday that 8,500 customers could lose power, but canceled that warning because of changes in wind patterns and humidity levels. Further south, Sempra Energy said more than 50,000 customers, or about 150,000 people, may lose power. It had cut service to about 390 residents and businesses as of Monday afternoon.