Shutting Off Power to Prevent Wildfires Unpopular in Southern Calif.

In recognition that downed power lines can cause catastrophic wildfires when winds and temperatures are high, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has proposed to shut off power to a mountainous backcountry area in northeastern San Diego County when conditions warrant the emergency measure. If the proposal is approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), it would be the first such attempt to prevent fires by shutting off power to an at-risk area.

On Friday, The New York Times reported that the utility anticipates using emergency shutoffs of between 12 and 72 hours in duration once or twice a year.

East County Magazine reported that more than 300 people attended a CPUC hearing in Alpine on April 8. The 41 speakers were against the proposal 9 to 1. Neville Connell, head of the Greater Alpine Fire Safe Council, argued that, although 25% of the 600 fires in the past five years seemed to be started by SDG&E facilities, shutting off power would be counterproductive because it would not allow the pumping of water for firefighting. Others pointed out that shutting off power could have several other unintended consequences that could affect health and livelihoods.

The Times said that three of the eight large fires in fall 2007 were caused by downed power lines and noted that, as a result of those fires, 126 families have sued the utility for damages.

Sources: East County Magazine, New York Times