Edison Shares Public Safety Power Shutoff Plans for Fire Season

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) - Public alerts and prevention were top of mind when the Santa Barbara Fire Safe Council met with officials from Southern California Edison in a debriefing session.

It took place via Zoom and was open to the public Thursday morning.

Edison shared the latest on its staffing, preparations, community outreach, criteria and on site resources for Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS).

The company is also using drones to inspect lines in dangerous areas or after wind storms to make sure they are not at risk of causing a fire.

Dead trees or those threatening power lines are on an on-going list for removals from the company on a regular basis along with brush clearing around power poles and towers.

Edison has been challenged by lawsuits and harsh public comments from fires that have, at times, started from energized lines that come down.

Members of the council and fire leaders spoke about collaborating with Edison to make sure the public is getting timely information in English and Spanish and that the company and fire agencies have an open line of communication.

Many government and fire agency representatives were on the zoom link.

Suggestions were also made for back up power supplies especially for those with medical devices.

(More details, photo and video will be added here later today.)

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