Preparing for Summer Power Outages, Heat & Wildfires Resources to help you stay safe

Dear Stakeholders,

Summer and Fall are expected to be hot and dry. That means wildfires, or planned electrical power outages that prevent wildfires, should be expected.

There are things you should do to plan ahead for such events. This is particularly important if you live in an area that has experienced a fire or loss of electricity before. Here are a few links with information to help you plan ahead:

  • General information in several languages about creating an emergency plan, and what things to have available if you need them, is here: https://www.listoscalifornia.org/
  • The Feeling Safe, Being Safe materials will help you make a plan that you can use in case of an emergency.
  • If your electricity is provided by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison, or San Diego Gas and Electric, sign up for electrical power outage alerts here. They cover most of the State, and you don’t need to have an account to sign up.
  • Utilities like to know when people they serve depend on electric medical equipment, such as ventilators or powered wheelchairs. It helps them plan for emergencies.
  • For people who depend on electric medical equipment, the utilities can provide cheaper electricity rates too. If you sign up before June 30, 2021, you don’t need a medical professional to sign your application. Click on your utility company in this flyer to sign up!

Heat and hot weather can be dangerous, for you, for other people, and for pets. Our colleagues at the Department of Public Health have provided information that may helpful in protecting yourself and those you love.

Sharing this information with your friends and other people you know helps everyone be ready to stay safe.