Climate Changed

Thousands in Southern California Have No Power on Black Friday

Utilities cut power to avoid triggering fires during windstorm
Red-flag fire condition warnings in effect until Friday night

A Riverside firefighter douses hot spots at the Arlanza fire which forced residents off Valley Drive to temporarily evacuate in Riverside, California, on Nov. 25. — A Riverside firefighter douses hot spots at the Arlanza fire which forced residents off Valley Drive to temporarily evacuate in Riverside, California, on Nov. 25.
Photographer: Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images

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By Will Wade

November 26, 2021 at 4:32 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Almost 50,000 Southern California homes and businesses remain in the dark on Black Friday after utilities cut power during the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday to avert wildfires.

Edison International’s Southern California Edison had halted electricity to more than 42,000 customers as of 8:21 a.m. local time, and warned on its website that another 128,000 may lose power. Sempra Energy’s San Diego Gas & Electric switched off more than 4,400 customers. Utilities started cutting power on Wednesday to prevent live wires from triggering fires as high winds sweep through the drought-scorched region.