Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) are an operational practice of last resort, where we preemptively shut off power in high fire risk areas to reduce fire risk during extreme and potentially dangerous fire weather conditions.
Actual frequency of PSPS events will depend on various weather and environmental factors, and the decision will be made with the most accurate assessment of real-time information and situational awareness data available at the time.
PSPS: Typical Timeline
Click each image for more detail.
4-7 Days Ahead

3 Days Ahead

2 Days Ahead

1 Day Ahead

Power Shutoff

Power Restoration

*Erratic or sudden onset of conditions may impact our ability to provide advanced notice to customers.
Variable Factors for PSPS
The following factors significantly increase the risk of ignition, amongst other:

Weather
Wind speed and direction, relative humidity, temperature, and dew point are just some of the weather components we monitor.

Fuel
Structures and vegetation serve as fuel for a wildfire. The abundance of fuel, fuel moisture, and vegetation density/health help us forecast how a wildfire may burn if ignited.

Other Factors
Factors unique to your particular area - such as geography (valleys, canyons, slope, etc.) - are also important factors.
PSPS: Frequently Asked Questions
Emergency Preparedness
Protecting you and your family from the threat of wildfires is our company's highest priority. Taking important actions to reduce the risk of wildfires has long been a focus for us. We continue to look for ways to enhance our operational practices and strengthen our infrastructure to address the increased threat of wildfires.
You and your family should be prepared for all types of emergencies.
To prepare specifically for a power outage, please visit our webpage (SCE.com/outages) which contains useful information for dealing with various issues before, during, and after an extended power outage.
Below are some frequently asked questions about Public Safety Power Shutoff.
* Red Flag Warning Definition: A red flag warning is a forecast warning issued by the United States National Weather Service to inform area firefighting and land management agencies that conditions are ideal for wildland fire combustion and rapid spread.