California utilities cut power to tens of thousands of customers as hot weather and strong winds increased the risk of wildfires. The shutoffs are intended to keep wind-damaged electrical equipment from starting fires.
Pacific Gas and Electric said nearly 62,000 customers across 26 Northern California counties had lost electricity after it began shutoffs Wednesday night. Southern California Edison said another 19,000 customers lost power Thursday in Los Angeles, Kern and Ventura counties.
The strongest Santa Ana winds were forecast from Thursday afternoon into Friday afternoon. Gusts could reach 50 to 70 mph in the San Gabriel and Santa Susana mountains, National Weather Service meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld said. Fire weather concerns were expected to persist through Saturday.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said she ordered the fire department to position crews and equipment before the winds arrived. She said the department had also sought help from the state office of emergency services.
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