A Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) is when an electric utility temporarily shuts off power to reduce the risk of its equipment causing a fire. Fire weather conditions — including strong winds, dry vegetation and low humidity — drive the decision to call for a PSPS.
PSPS continues to serve as a critical public safety tool during extreme weather conditions when there is risk of our equipment sparking a fire.
We understand that losing power for any amount of time is a hardship and we remain committed to helping you stay safe, prepared and informed.
PSPS Frequently Asked Questions
PSPS FAQ
Alerts are available for anyone via text, email or voice call.
If you’re an SCE customer, log in to My Account to sign up or update your contact information. You can:
- Add or update your email address or mobile number
- Choose your notification preferences and language
- Add additional people to receive alerts
Anyone can sign up for Address Level Alerts to receive notifications for a specific address. Choose how you want to be notified and your preferred language.
Before a potential PSPS, SCE will send alerts using your selected contact method so you can stay informed and prepared.
SCE monitors weather and fire risk conditions continuously. When conditions may lead to a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), we begin sending notifications up to three days in advance.
Because forecasts can change, the timing of notifications and the areas affected may also change. SCE provides updates before, during and after a PSPS event so you can stay informed and prepare.
Here’s what to expect:
Typical notification timing includes:
4-7 Days Ahead
When forecasts indicate fire weather conditions, we begin predictive modeling to assess potential impact. Customers can visit our PSPS Weather Dashboard to view how counties in our service area could be affected by fire weather conditions — up to seven days in advance.
3 Days Ahead Notification
When fire weather conditions are forecast, SCE coordinates with emergency management agencies, first responders and local governments.
SCE notifies customers who may be affected and displays potential impact areas on the Outage Map. These areas appear as polygons showing circuits that may be affected.
2 Days Ahead Notification
As the forecast becomes more precise, we refine the list of circuits that may be affected. If conditions persist, potentially impacted customers and public safety partners receive a notification confirming the PSPS and expected timing.
1 Day Ahead Notification
When fire conditions are likely, SCE continues to refine impacted circuits and estimated outage timing.
1-4 Hours Before Shutoff Notification
If we estimate that power could be shutoff within one to four hours, SCE sends an expected shutoff notification to customers and public safety partners, when possible. After this notice, power shutoffs may occur at any time during the PSPS event.
Power Shutoff Notification
When wind speeds and fire conditions are about to reach or exceed predetermined thresholds, we notify public safety partners and customers when we shut off power.
Before Power Restoration Notification
When conditions improve and PSPS is no longer needed, crews inspect power lines to ensure it is safe to restore service.
SCE notifies customers when inspections begin. Inspections typically take up to eight hours but may take longer if daylight is required for ground or aerial patrols (helicopter or drone).
Restoration Notification
All customers notified about PSPS receive a final notification when their power has been restored or when the event has ended.
Other notifications may occur as needed to keep customers informed.
Disclaimer: Our advance forecasts might not capture the real-time onset of strong winds or other dangerous fire conditions. In these cases, there might be little to no notice before power is shut off for PSPS. After a shutoff, customers will be notified as soon as possible and can check the Outage Map to confirm it is due to PSPS.
During dangerous fire weather conditions, when strong winds, dry vegetation and low humidity are forecast, we start considering PSPS. Under these conditions, a fire could spread rapidly, posing a significant safety risk. PSPS reduces the risk of utility equipment starting a fire when winds blow branches or other debris into power lines.
PSPS decisions are based on real-time weather reports from pole-top weather stations on or adjacent to PSPS circuits. We primarily consider these factors and conditions when deenergizing a circuit or circuit segment:
- Strong winds
- Low humidity
- Dry vegetation that could serve as fuel
Use our weather and fire monitoring tools to stay informed.
- View the Outage Map for current status
- View PSPS Weather Dashboard to view weather conditions up to seven days in advance.
- View wildfire camera updates.
- View the latest weather station information.
- View an interactive map which displays vegetation moisture information.
Customers living in high fire risk areas are more likely to experience PSPS. However, customers who live near high fire risk areas may also be affected because they are connected to power lines that run through or near high fire risk areas.
Enter your address on our Outage Map.
While some customers may not be experiencing high winds at their home or business, they may be served by a circuit which crosses a windy, high fire risk area before reaching their address. As a result, one block or neighborhood may have power while others don’t. We do our best to reduce outage impacts by temporarily switching neighborhoods to nearby circuits, but this is not always possible. At the end of a PSPS event, since all circuits must be visually inspected by crews before restoration, not all circuits will be restored at the same time.
SCE is increasing its use of drones during PSPS patrols to help identify damage and potential hazards, such as downed wires or vegetation contact, and expedite circuit inspections to safely restore power more quickly. Drone patrols may occur during the day or night.
You might see white or colored lights from the drone as it flies along the power lines — these lights are more noticeable at night. You may also hear brief, low-level noise.
Drones only fly over power lines, so you will typically see or hear them for a short time. Sometimes, a drone may need to spend extra time over one area to get a closer view or take photos of any damage.
Yes. All drone flights follow strict safety protocols and comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. SCE drone pilots are FAA-certified. SCE drone pilots are specifically trained for flights near power lines and at night to keep operations safe.
Drone patrols may collect images. We use this information only for approved utility and public safety needs. To learn about how we protect your privacy, please visit sce.com/privacy.
Resources and Preparedness Frequently Asked Questions
Resources and Preparedness FAQ
PSPS events may last over 24 hours. Prepare an emergency plan to keep your family safe during any outage, including a plan for family members who might need extra care. Include a list of the location of emergency items such as water bottles, a battery-operated radio, flashlights, first-aid kits, extra blankets and working batteries. Be sure to add special needs items for loved ones, including pets.
- View preparation tips for extended outages.
- Find resources and support for customers with access and functional needs, as well as community assistance and emergency preparedness information.
- Sign up or update your contact information for PSPS alerts in English and other available languages.
- Bookmark the outage map or download the MySCE mobile app. Use this tool to check your PSPS status, identify your outage type, find Community Resource Centers and Community Crew Vehicles with their operating hours, access hotel discounts during extended outages, locate charging sites and more.
If you or someone in your household regularly uses medical equipment powered by electricity, you may be eligible for our Medical Baseline Allowance program.
In the event of a PSPS, we will attempt to reach customers enrolled in the Medical Baseline Allowance program through their preferred contact method (email, text or voice call). If we cannot reach them directly, we will send a technician to their door in attempt to make in-person contact to deliver the message regarding the interruption.
We offer resources and support to serve the diverse needs of our customers during PSPS and other outage emergencies.
211 offers free, confidential services to SCE customers with access and functional needs before, during and after a PSPS or other outage emergency. 211 connects you to community assistance, emergency preparedness, food pantry or meal delivery programs, lodging, transportation, public assistance and other services. Dial 211 or text “PREPARE” to 211-211. For video relay service, dial 1-866-346-3211.
View additional resources for customers with access and functional needs.
SCE supports customers during PSPS and other large public safety events through Community Resource Centers and Community Crew Vehicles. During PSPS, visit the Outage Map for locations. Locations are usually posted up to a day before a potential PSPS.
Services include updated outage information, PSPS alert enrollment support, mobile and portable medical device charging, restrooms, Wi-Fi, access to water, light snacks, ice and insulated cold bags for medications and resiliency kits. We also offer in-language support and accommodate customers with disabilities or other access and functional needs including wheelchairs, privacy screens, sensory kits and food supplies for service animals.
We offer resources and support to help customers prepare for emergencies and potential power outages, including backup power solutions and rebates for qualifying devices.
If you live in a PSPS-affected area, rebates are available in the SCE Marketplace for portable power stations and generators. Portable power stations keep small devices such as laptops, phones, tablets and some routers running during an outage. Portable generators provide backup power for larger household appliances and devices such as refrigerators, lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and more.
Find tips for using your generator safely.
Our Critical Care Backup Battery (CCBB) program also offers free portable backup batteries that can power your medical devices during an outage or other extended outage. Learn more about eligibility at sce.com/ccbb.
