Thousands of SoCal Edison customers without power shutoffs amid stay home orders
Southern California Edison shut off electricity for thousands of customers as a precaution against downed power lines sparking a fire.
Thousands of Southern California Edison customers were without power Tuesday as the utility began targeted power cuts to prevent electrical equipment igniting wildfires in vegetation dried out after the hot summer months.
As of Tuesday morning, 54,774 SCE customers across the Southland had their power cut, while another 125,543 customers were under consideration for the co-called "public safety power shutoffs.'' By early Wednesday morning, the number of customers without power dropped to 12,890 as winds were expected to decrease in intensity. View a full list of power shutoffs on SCE's website.
Much of Los Angeles County and Orange counties are under a red flag warning Tuesday as anticipated gusty winds and low humidity levels are raising the possibility of dangerous wildfires.
RELATED: SoCal Edison begins implementing power shutoffs for thousands of customers amid fire danger
The red flag warnings are also in effect in Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obsipo counties, lasting through 10 p.m. Tuesday.
A wind advisory is in effect until noon in L.A. County. Gusts are expected to reach 60 mph in the mountains and 55 mph in the Santa Clarita Valley in the morning before weakening into the afternoon.
Humidity was forecast at 5 to 10% Tuesday.
FULL FORECAST: Strong winds, fire danger continue Tuesday
"While winds will weaken late Tuesday through Wednesday, they will remain locally breezy with gusts between 20 and 35 mph in the windier locations especially Tuesday night. Humidities will stay very low through Wednesday, resulting in elevated to near critical conditions,'' the National Weather Service said. "The threat for gusty northeast winds and additional red flag warnings is decreasing for Thursday through Saturday.
The weather service said no rain is expected for at least the next 10 days.
The Associated Press and City News Service contributed to this report.
