By Southern California Edison

Summer Heat Preparation

Summer is in full swing and so is the heat. Southern California Edison (SCE) is poised and ready. SCE crews have installed or upgraded critical electrical equipment and are prepared to quickly respond to possible power outages in all weather conditions.

SCE’s weather team recently warned of potentially dangerous fire conditions associated with the early season heatwave. Although it takes much more than high heat to spark a fire, the combination of high temperatures, dry conditions, and gusty winds can raise the fire danger.

 To further mitigate wildfire risk, SCE’s crews are also:

• Conducting additional inspections of electrical equipment, prioritizing the highest-risk structures in targeted areas based on emergent fire conditions. These include both ground inspections by field crews and aerial inspections using drones and helicopters.
• Implementing new technology. One example is adding remote-controlled reclosers on power poles. A recloser can detect when a foreign object (e.g., palm fronds, metallic balloons, or wildlife) contacts a power line and disconnect the line to reduce the risk of a more hazardous condition.

Wildfire Mitigation

SCE updated its Wildfire Mitigation Plan in April. The 2023-25 plan focuses on grid hardening primarily through installing covered conductor (or coated wire), enhanced vegetation management, and advanced monitoring/alert systems. Through proactive practices like these, SCE has reduced the probability of wildfires associated with utility equipment by 85%-88% since 2018.

The plan also focuses on reducing the effects of Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) on customers. It continues SCE’s partnership with county fire agencies to provide year-round aerial fire suppression from the Quick Reaction Force of helitankers.

To learn more about SCE’s wildfire efforts, PSPS and customer resources, visit www.sce.com/wildfire. For stories and videos about SCE’s wildfire efforts, visit energized.edison.com/wildfire-safety.

Customer Preparation

Customers are also encouraged to be fire ready. They can:

• Clear brush from around their properties, which helps protect their homes during a fire. Best practices call for clearances up to 100 feet of defensible space, increasing beyond 100 feet in more hazardous areas.
• Install fire-resistant doors, double-paned windows, and ember-resistant screens and vents.
• Call 800-655-4555 or email safetrees@sce.com if vegetation is growing near or around power lines. SCE will conduct an inspection at no cost to the customer.

To report outages, customers can call 800-611-1911 or email sce.com/outage.