SDG&E could shut down power
lines in the Back Country

By Lori Bledsoe
The Alpine Sun

     EAST COUNTY — Fire Season is upon us with a Red Flag Warning declared by the National Weather Service. San Diego Gas & Electric is taking drastic steps to ensure that their electrical equipment is fire safe. In a recent e-mail, residents in the Back Country were notified that SDG&E was making changes in facilities to include replacing wood poles with steel poles, using heavier wire in certain sections of the system in rural areas, and begin operational changes to include expanding aerial inspections of distribution and transmission lines.
     Rural residents were also notified that during certain extreme weather conditions, SDG&E will be shutting down power-lines. This procedure will be used infrequently, but it is an important part of their overall fire preparedness efforts.
Highlights in the procedure include proactively shutting off power in certain high-risk fire areas during extreme weather conditions in order to help prevent fires.
     The weather criteria for triggering these shut downs procedures are set at a level that project activating the shut down procedure as infrequently as one time or less per year. But the actual frequency will depend on weather conditions in the area.
     SDG&E will attempt to contact residents in advance of any shut downs, through the AlertSanDiego (also known as the reverse 9-1-1) system.
     All five of the following conditions must be met before SDG&E will activate any shut down of powerlines:
The National Weather Service calls a Red Flag Warning
Localized wind speeds in an area or community are sustained and greater than 35 mph OR there are wind gusts greater than 55 mph. Where possible, existing weather stations will provide the wind speed measurements.
The relative humidity (moisture in the air) is less than 20 percent
The moisture level in sticks, twigs and leaves (“non-living” materials) is less than 6 percent
The moisture level is “living” plants and bushes is less than or equal to 75 percent

     Before the program is activated, SDG&E will attempt to call the telephone number listed on residents’ accounts. To update telephone numbers, call (800) 411-7343. To do this, have your account number ready to update your home telephone number, mobile phone number and business number.
     You may also be notified by e-mail if you sign up for the SDG&E Power Alerts in the E-mail Preference Center.
To keep track of conditions, SDG&E will monitor over a dozen remote automatic weather stations used to measure wind conditions by the National Weather Service located throughout the county.
 

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