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California’s Blackout Threat Ends, but Long Summer Lies Ahead

Rolling outages averted as record heat wave begins to fade
Power woes could return, as above-average temps forecast

People cool off at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor water park in Concord, California, on June 17. — People cool off at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor water park in Concord, California, on June 17.Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg

By

David R Baker and

June 19, 2021, 4:09 AM UTC

California has dodged the threat of blackouts -- for now.

For a second night in row, the Golden State narrowly escaped rolling outages as Californians heeded the call to conserve power during a brutal heat wave. The record-high temperatures were expected to ease by Sunday as cool ocean air is forecast to creep further inland from the coast, likely relieving strain on the electric grid with less need to crank up air conditioners.