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SCE Personnel Preparing for the Possibility Zaca Fire Could Affect Service to Santa Barbara Area

Posted on: Saturday, 4 August 2007, 15:22 CDT

As the Zaca Fire changed directions toward the Santa Barbara area Friday, significantly increasing in size, Southern California Edison (SCE) began preparing for the possibility the fire might damage the local power grid. The utility has dispatched fire assessment and other advance personnel to the area to closely monitor developments.

As of 11 a.m., no SCE customers were without power due to the fire. However, the utility warned the fire is several miles from a major high-voltage transmission line corridor supplying much of the area's power. If the fire should reach the lines, some power outages could occur in Santa Barbara and adjacent communities.

"We are preparing to move all necessary resources into the area to restore service as quickly as possible should the fire threaten power lines, poles and other equipment," said Ron Ferree, director of SCE's grid operations. "We encourage customers to prepare as well."

To help customers minimize the effect of power outages, should they occur, SCE offers the following advice:

If you see downed lines, please call SCE and report it to the police and fire departments immediately.

Turn off and unplug any unnecessary electrical equipment, especially sensitive electronic equipment.

Make sure you have a battery-operated radio and flashlights. Check the batteries now to make sure they are fresh. Do not rely on candles for lighting during a power outage, because they could pose a fire hazard.

If you or someone you care for is dependent on electrically operated medical equipment, make backup power arrangements in advance.

Do not cook indoors with charcoal or other fossil fuels not meant for indoor use. They could create deadly fumes if used indoors.

If possible, stay out of areas severely impacted by the fire damage. Traffic signals could be inoperative, SCE equipment such as poles could be blocking streets, and utility crews could be in the area making repairs.

An Edison International (NYSE:EIX) company, Southern California Edison is one of the nation's largest electric utilities, serving a population of more than 13 million via 4.8 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within central, coastal and Southern California.

Source: Business Wire

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