California Faces Widespread Power Outages as Wildfires Grow

The number of California homes and businesses without electricity surged to more than 400,000 on Wednesday, as multiple wildfires burned out of control across Los Angeles County.

Fires that ignited on Tuesday have claimed at least five lives, destroyed hundreds of homes, and severely strained firefighting resources and water supplies. Over 100,000 people have been ordered to evacuate as the blazes continue to spread.

Southern California has seen the bulk of the outages, with Los Angeles being particularly hard hit. Southern California Edison (SCE), a subsidiary of Edison International, reported that around 413,639 customers were without power as of 4 p.m. PST on January 8. An additional 453,872 customers were under a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program watch.

SCE stated that power restoration may take several days due to the unsafe conditions caused by the wildfires. “We will restore service as soon as it is safe to do so,” said a company spokesperson. The PSPS program, which is aimed at preventing wildfires sparked by power lines, requires the temporary shutdown of electricity in high-risk areas. SCE urged the public to stay away from downed power lines.

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The uncertainty surrounding the timing of power restoration sent shares of SCE tumbling by as much as 13.8%, reaching their lowest levels since April and marking the most significant one-day drop since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Among the largest fires, the Palisades wildfire has already scorched more than 15,000 acres in the Pacific Palisades area, stretching between the coastal towns of Santa Monica and Malibu. Other blazes have ignited in neighboring areas, including a 10,600-acre fire near Pasadena and a new fire in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday evening. Additional evacuation orders have been issued in parts of Malibu and Santa Monica, further intensifying the crisis.

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Layla Hango

Layla Hango is a dedicated author at The Chieftain Spear, where she delves into stories that highlight cultural richness, social issues, and community empowerment. With a passion for storytelling that inspires and informs, Layla brings a fresh perspective to her writing. Her work resonates with readers seeking meaningful dialogue and a deeper understanding of diverse experiences. Through her articles, Layla aims to spark positive change and celebrate the strength of collective voices.

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