Fires can be ignited by high winds impacting utility structures. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo
The Anza valley has experienced the real‑world effects of a policy known as a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), in which electric utilities temporarily de‑energize parts of their grid during extreme weather events to reduce wildfire risk. This strategy is designed to prevent utility equipment from becoming the ignition source in fire‑prone terrain.According to Southern California Edison, a PSPS may be initiated when weather conditions, combined with dry vegetation, create elevated fire risk. The utility may shut off power to certain circuits ahead of predicted high winds, low humidity, and other red‑flag conditions.In the Anza Valley, this means that the imported power delivered to the Anza Electric Cooperative, Inc. can also be affected, since AEC uses lines owned by SCE
