Malibu bracing for potential power outages amid strong Santa Ana winds

Amid high winds and dangerous fire weather prompting warnings across much of Southern California, the city of Malibu is bracing for potential power shutoffs, officials announced Sunday.

Red flag warnings, according to the National Weather Service, went into effect at 7 p.m. Sunday until 6 p.m. Monday across portions of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.  

“A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly,” wrote NWS in a Sunday afternoon update. “Use extreme caution with anything that can spark a wildfire.” 

City officials in Malibu said on X, formerly Twitter, that there is the potential for Southern California Edison to shutoff power between Monday and Thursday “due to forecasted Santa Ana winds & low humidity.”  

“The strong winds and low humidity will combine with critically dry fuels to bring widespread critical fire weather conditions to many areas of Ventura and Los Angeles counties,” the weather service added.  

Officials urged motorists in the city to come to complete stops at any malfunctioning traffic lights and drive carefully.  

Those living in fire prone areas should be prepared to evacuate if necessary. More information about public safety power shutoffs can be found by following this link.