Southern California Edison shut off power to Moorpark customers Thursday, Oct. 15, as the season's first Santa Ana wind event hit Ventura County harder than forecasters expected.
The City of Moorpark said on X that SCE had activated Public Safety Power Shutoffs, or PSPS, and opened a Community Resource Center at the Arroyo Vista Recreation Center's Magnolia Room, 4550 Tierra Rejada Road. The center offers device and medical equipment charging, water, snacks, Wi-Fi and restrooms, according to SCE's PSPS information page.
Across Ventura County, 32 circuits were de-energized as of Thursday afternoon, leaving just under 25,000 SCE customers without power, according to the Ventura County Office of Emergency Services. SCE was monitoring 75 circuits countywide for potential additional shutoffs through 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17.
Edison shut off circuits in and around Moorpark, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo and Piru, the Ventura County Star reported. The utility was also monitoring dozens of other local circuits serving more than 100,000 additional customers.
An SCE spokesperson acknowledged the hardship in comments to KTLA. "We absolutely know that these public safety power shutoffs significantly impact our customers' lives … but we do it for safety reasons," the spokesperson said.
As we reported Wednesday, the National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for Ventura County valleys and mountains. The warning took effect at 6 a.m. Thursday and runs through 8 p.m. Saturday.
The NWS forecast called for northeast winds of 20 to 40 mph with gusts of 50 to 70 mph in mountain areas. Valley gusts of 45 to 55 mph were forecast, with isolated gusts to 65 mph possible. Relative humidity was expected to drop to 8 to 15 percent, with temperatures climbing into the upper 80s and 90s.
Winds were expected to peak Thursday afternoon through Friday, Oct. 16.
The dangerous conditions also sparked a fire in the Santa Paula area. Firefighters responded shortly after 1 p.m. Thursday to the Cornell Fire in the 600 block of Cornell Road, south of Highway 126 near Peck Road, the Ventura County Star reported. An evacuation warning for a nearby area was lifted around 2:30 p.m.
Power restoration after a PSPS can take more than eight hours after winds subside, KTLA reported. SCE crews must inspect lines for damage before re-energizing circuits. SCE received regulatory approval this year to use drones for line inspections, including at night, according to the city's PSPS information page.
Moorpark's electrical grid has 10 circuits. Five have historically been most affected by shutoffs: Brennan, Gabbert, Morganstein, Strathern and Zone, according to the city.
Residents who need assistance can dial 211 or text "PREPARE" to 211-211 for help with food, lodging, transportation and other services. SCE customer service is available at (800) 655-4555. To sign up for emergency alerts, visit readyventuracounty.org/vc-alert.
