More than 4,000 Residents Without Power in San Diego County

More than 4,000 Residents Without Power in San Diego County
San Diego, Calif., on July 7, 2016. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)
City News Service
11/26/2021
Updated:
11/26/2021

SAN DIEGO—Nearly 4,500 residents in San Diego County are still without power on Nov. 26, following a planned power outage started on Thanksgiving Day to prevent wildfires.

During high winds, public safety power shutoffs are a way to reduce the risk of fires sparking from defective or damaged equipment.

While the mountain and valley areas remain at risk for a public safety power shutoff, about 4,452 county residents woke up Friday morning to no power, according to San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E).

Around 7:30 a.m., outages were planned for Alpine, Boulevard, Campo Reservation, Descanso, Fallbrook, Jamul, Potrero, and Warner Springs. Unplanned outages were also reported in the county.

More than 40 communities, with almost 49,000 residents, could be affected by the outages, according to the utility company.

Restoration is expected between Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 5 p.m.

In response to a red-flag warning issued earlier this week, SDG&E shut off electricity for high-risk areas on Thanksgiving Day, with thousands of outages—starting with 5,300 at 8 a.m.—reported by Fox 5 San Diego.

“That number lingered near 6,000 late that evening, with the bulk of the outages being public safety power shutoffs,” the news station reported.

A red flag warning is in effect until Friday at 6 p.m.

Community resource centers for people affected by outages were made available Friday, Nov. 26:
  • Descanso Community Resource Center, 9545 River Drive, Descanso, 91916. Open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Potrero Community Resource Center, 24550 Highway 94 Potrero, 91963. Open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The National Weather Service (NWS) forecast calls for east winds of 20 to 30 mph, with gusts reaching 55 mph, and some isolated gusts as high as 65 mph in “wind-favored” locations.

Also, humidity levels will fall to between 5 percent and 10 percent.

“Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly,” according to the NWS. “Outdoor burning is not recommended.”

The winds are expected to diminish by the weekend, along with a gradual recovery in humidity.