Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

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PSPS Outage Area Map (see the full map here)
Update by SCE
8:30 p.m., October 20, 2019

This is an important safety message from Southern California Edison. Due to current conditions, the SANTA BARBARA area, has been removed from Public Safety Power Shutoff consideration, and no electric service will be proactively turned off at this time. If outages due to other reasons unrelated to Public Safety Power Shutoffs occur in your area, SCE will work as quickly as possible to restore your service. For more information please visit our website at www.sce.com. If you see a downed power line, stay away, call 911, and report this to SCE at 1-800-611-1911

 
Update by edhat staff
1:45 p.m., October 20, 2019

The City of Goleta was removed from Southern California Edison's (SCE) Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) list for Sunday. However, residents have grown increasingly confused as conflicting information has been released due to SCE's delay in updating their website as well as confusing notifications.

As of Sunday afternoon, power has not been cut off from Santa Barbara County. The most up-to-date map appears to be from Ready Santa Barbara County at readysbc.org. The full map is available here.

The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for Santa Barbara County south coast and mountains in effect until 10:00 p.m. Sunday.

SCE is currently monitoring 14 circuits that may impact parts of unincorporated Santa Barbara County along the Gaviota coast, between the cities of Goleta and Santa Barbara, Montecito and Summerland, and parts of incorporated Goleta, Santa Barbara and Carpinteria. The period of concern for possible de-energization for 8 out of the 14 circuits began at 12pm (noon) today. No PSPS related outages have occurred at this time. The remaining circuits’ period of concern begin at 3pm and 6pm. Additionally, some customers received SCE notification this weekend that a shutoff has been avoided for their area.

SCE has deployed a Community Resource Vehicle Sunday until 5:00 pm equipped with charging stations and SCE staff will be on-site to address your questions at the following locations:

Update by edhat staff
6:05 p.m., October 18, 2019
 

As of Friday evening, more of Santa Barbara County has been added as "under consideration" for the PSPS list. Currently, 24,148 SCE customers could be affected. 

Southern California Edison (SCE) has notified the public that they are considering turning off power to several areas of Santa Barbara County this weekend (October 18-20) due to expected high winds.  Power has not yet been turned off for these areas.  The outage may impact unincorporated areas of southern Santa Barbara County and in parts of Goleta, Santa Barbara and Carpinteria.  To determine if you live or work in or near a potential outage area, go to ReadySBC.org to access the PSPS interactive map.  Residents are encouraged to make preparations for a possible multiple day power outage lasting as long as 5-7 days and check on friends and neighbors to make sure they are prepared.  Call SCE directly at 1-800-611-1911 or visit www.sce.com/safety/wildfire/psps with questions related to this potential outage.

Here are some helpful resources:

Update by edhat staff
8:15 a.m., October 18, 2019

As of Friday morning, 6,702 customers in Santa Barbara County have been added to the potential PSPS list.

Update by Office of Emergency Management
9:40 p.m., October 17, 2019
 
Southern California Edison (SCE) has notified the public that they are considering turning off power to some areas of Santa Barbara County later this week due to expected high winds.  Power has not yet been turned off for these areas.  The outage may impact an area from Buena Vista Avenue in Montecito through parts of Summerland and to the intersection of Linden Avenue and State Route 192 in Carpinteria, going as far north as the end of Toro Canyon Road and mostly staying on the mountainous side of the 101. 
 
If you live or work in or near this area, you should make preparations for a possible multiple day power outage lasting as long as 5-7 days.  More information will be provided as it becomes available.  We encourage residents to check on your friends and neighbors to make sure they are prepared.  Call SCE directly at 1-800-611-1911 or visit www.sce.com/safety/wildfire/psps with questions related to this potential outage.  For tips on how to prepare and register for public safety notifications, go to ReadySBC.org and click “Preparing for a Public Safety Power Shutdown (PSPS).”
Update by edhat staff
12:00 p.m., October 17, 2019
 
Southern California Edison (SCE) has removed sections of Santa Barbara County as of Thursday afternoon.

Currently, the PSPS websites stated 1,966 customers in Santa Barbara County will be affected in the following areas:

  • Unincorporated areas including Gaviota, Goleta, Lompoc, Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Montecito, Summerland

The designated areas and maps change frequently. Be sure to check https://www.sce.com/safety/wildfire/psps for the latest information. 

Update by edhat staff

3:30 p.m., October 16, 2019

As of Wednesday afternoon, Santa Barbara County has been added to the "Public Safety Power Shutoff" (PSPS) consideration list that would potentially affect 6,689 customers.

The designation areas include downtown Santa Barbara, Mission Canyon, the Riviera, Turnpike/Calle Real, and more. The full list and maps are below:

The designated areas and maps change frequently. Be sure to check https://www.sce.com/safety/wildfire/psps for the latest information. 

By edhat staff
10:00 a.m., October 16, 2019

Southern California Edison has issued a "Public Safety Power Shutoff" warning for parts of Montecito, Summerland, and Carpinteria on Friday. A warning was also issued for sections of Gaviota.

As of Wednesday morning, Santa Barbara County was removed from the consideration list, but residents should still be alert.

The Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management is recommending that people be prepared to endure a power outage lasting 3-5 days. Residents are asked to keep cell phones and portable chargers charged, keeping gas tank full or electric vehicle fully charged, have flashlights and other lighting devices ready, have a hand crank or battery-operated radio to tune into these listed stations to receive updates, have 5-days worth of non-perishable food, and one gallon of water per person per day.

For further information please see the links below:

 
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rwelsh
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Oct 19, 2019 11:50 AM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

I think we have to be very careful about passively allowing the utility companies to get away with this. What's next? Water companies forcing us to ration and telling us we can only use 20 gallons a day and not to flush our toilets? Gas companies telling us we have to use our charcoal or wood burning BBQ's more? Are we going the way of South Africa and Venezuela, and so many other formerly functioning countries? Is it all boiling down to whether you can afford to use more water, buy a generator, or have a propane tank (or private jet)? This isn't okay. It's a means of control, forced destabilization and subjugation.

a-1591173066
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Oct 19, 2019 05:38 PM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

Woah! It's okay. Tone it down a bit. I don't think it will get that bad because I don't think we the citizens will allow it. If you scoff at that, get involved! When was the last time you called or wrote your assembly member, senator or the governor's office? If they work for us, they need to hear from us. Being a citizen is not a passive position. And yes, of course money matters. You can make a political statement about that if you chose to.

a-1591173066
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Oct 19, 2019 04:45 PM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

How are they supposed to upgrade when the state/municipalities tell them they can't or they ahve to do it this way or that way and at the same time impose rate caps?

a-1591173066
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Oct 19, 2019 12:51 PM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

"What other choice do they have?" They could spend the money necessary to replace 19th Century technology with 21st Century technology. A for-profit entity only looks at the next quarter of earnings, not the next decades of more of this climate-driven increased fire threat. In my entire life - and even when I lived in a small village abroad - have I been threatened with the loss of what is today, something that is necessary for life. Never - until now - in Santa Barbara! It's bad enough they "gouge" us with the bills, now they can just shut us off at will, depending on what the word is from the insurance and reinsurance companies, who end up paying the bulk of these claims. Remove the threat by upgrading, and the liability goes away. If they can't do it, then find someone else to do it.

a-1591173066
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Oct 19, 2019 12:10 PM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

allow them to get away with what exactly? They are required to provide power and also accept 100% strict liability regardless. What other choice do they have? You need to focus on our ridiculous politicians and getting them out and getting smart business oriented people in to fix this. THey pretty much left the utility companies with no other alternative.

4105762
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Oct 19, 2019 11:46 AM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

How about this solution until the power lines are updated? Since the concern is downed power lines, why not require SCE in conjunction with the County and City clear all brush within 200 feet of any power line. Without out the fuel from the brush a downed power line has nothing to burn.

a-1591173066
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Oct 19, 2019 05:54 PM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

11:59 PM Your statement is false. SCE has full authority to clear brush in the right of way and under or near their transmition lines. State regulation requires vegetation mitigation within a certain distance from utility lines. If there is an imminent threat they can enter your property without notice and cut down trees near their lines.

a-1591173066
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Oct 19, 2019 05:34 PM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

Can you document this, as the city and county swarms with contract tree trimmers and brushland work is reported as being in process? Not that I'm defending SCE, I just didn't know about this.

a-1591173066
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Oct 19, 2019 12:01 PM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

Maybe the State of CA can use prisoners for this brush abatement. They have "chain gangs" in other states and here they could use inmates with no reason to run due to time left or incarceration level.

a-1591173066
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Oct 19, 2019 11:59 AM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

The brush SHOULD be cleared around lines - it is in every other state. You have it backwards. The utility is not allowed to clear cut b/c of environmental groups that fought against that and won - state sided with them. Hence, non-cleared brush near power lines (you would never see this in any other state - where it is clear cut for a distance out from power equipment).

a-1591173066
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Oct 19, 2019 11:07 AM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

Ironically, these shut offs are about protecting SCE from liability, which means shutting down their lines in the hills, whether or not folks miles away from the lines are in any real danger from a fire. This may not go well in the long run, and may result in even more loss of life if people are unable to monitor fires in their area due to lack of electricity driven devices and related warnings.

a-1591173066
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Oct 19, 2019 11:57 AM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

Yes, and the rate caps result in the company not doing upgrades and the like. We need smart business people in office at this point to turn this mess of a ship around - it will take years, but it's do-able. The state also dictates what type of equipment to use even over objection by the utility as to safety, longevity, etc. It's a mess and the incumbent politicians are largely to blame.

a-1591173066
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Oct 19, 2019 11:11 AM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

That is correct. The state requires them to provide service even in high fire areas, whether they want to or not - and requires them to accept 100% liability regardless of fault if their equipment causes a fire. They also cap the rate increases on top of that. That means that, people living in high fire areas have zero worry if electrical equipment causes the fire, and the rest of us (rate payers and tax payers) shoulder the responsibility to the extent of permitted rate increases and taxes. So what do you expect them to do? Laws need to change and people living in high risk areas must be required to shoulder at least part of the risk, as it is already risky to live there.

a-1591173066
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Oct 19, 2019 05:30 PM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

Have you looked at OEM maps through SB Ready? Granted they cover EVERYWHERE. lol But that's the best anybody is doing. I'm certainly in a shut off area and am prepared. ===========================================================================https://sbcoem.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=99df9c47aeca4e73aaa41e6cdf6901e6

Factotum
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Oct 19, 2019 09:32 AM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

County map does not match SCE map for "proposed shut offs" this Saturday morning. Stick with the SCE maps for the most direct info -local affected areas have changed dramatically since Friday.

Flicka
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Oct 19, 2019 09:21 AM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

Well, the bottom line is this is a good time to make plans for any power outage. In an earthquake it can all go out w/o any warning. The "big one" could come now tomorrow, or in 50 years and stay power could be out for a long time. Also, remember the Thomas Fire was caused by downed power lines. Direct Relief is offering a charging station for cell phones and computers. Make sure to know where they are located.

mp805
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Oct 19, 2019 08:58 AM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

Information from SCE....Two SCE Community Crew vehicles will be deployed to Santa Barbara County on Saturday, Oct. 19, and Sunday, Oct. 20, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m...... CCV 1: Casitas Plaza - 1000 Casitas Pass Road, Carpinteria, CA 93013........ CCV 2: Eastside Branch Library - 1102 E Montecito St, Santa Barbara, CA 93103............. Visit the Community Crew vehicle to get PSPS updates, charge your phones, and get snacks and water.

Eggs Ackley
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Oct 19, 2019 07:53 AM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

Portable battery backup units with or without portable solar for recharging is a viable option and at the low end cost-wise. Next would be a fixed larger battery unit à la powerwall, Sonnen, or Solark(my preference). Add pv solar and you will have enough juice to keep the ice maker going indefinitely. Distributed energy resources are the future, and will be widely employed over the next few years. If you're not on board now, I advise strongly considering it.

yin yang
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Oct 19, 2019 05:26 PM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

Strange replies to Eggs, seem off-topic? I have solar and no storage. My first step will be to contact provider, of course, but info would be greatly appreciated. For me, not technical. Any recommendations for local battery storage systems? Thanks!

TJTom
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Oct 19, 2019 08:51 AM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

It is shameful that the potential outage area maps provided are so crude and lacking of detail. If "they" can't master basic graphics how can we trust them to "fix" the electrical grid.

a-1591173066
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Oct 18, 2019 08:20 PM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

I'm just asking. If you had outage maps like these in Ventura, would you be more or less upset? The positive view is that this is a great test run for emergency preparedness. We are prone to fires and earthquakes. And I agree with all those who say 3 days food, water, meds etc. is ridiculous -- be prepared for 2 weeks at least. Mail order meds that come in 90 day amounts are useful. For those needing medical assistance, contact SB County, your medical provider, anybody who can direct you toward assistance. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Check out these Ventura Cnty outage maps. Just like gerrymandering. ;-) https://twitter.com/VCscanner/status/1185320154890031104

a-1591173066
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Oct 18, 2019 07:46 PM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

I am in my seventies, and am a car giver for more than one disabled person. I must walk and take the bus to get anywhere. Will the buses be running? If I had a car, will the gas pumps be operating? When I need food, will the grocery stores be able to operate without power? I visit the pharmacy several times a week to pick up life-saving medicine for myself and the people for whom I care. Some of them require refrigeration (insulin). Will Pharmacies be able to dispense medicine necessary for life and health? We can't refill them before they are due, so two days' notice doesn't cut it. I am not even mentioning that it will be in the 80º's and 90º's for the next several days. Without a fan, living in an upstairs cube with little ventilation is not healthy for anyone of any age, let alone the elderly. Will people who require chemotherapy and dialysis be able to get it once the generators go out, if they are operable? If a pharmacy could fill prescriptions, could my doctor's office access patient records? If any of these answers are "NO", then Santa Barbara is as vulnerable as Puerto Rico was, with a similar outcome in store for us. Except that the hurricane was an actual thing, not caused by PG&E shirking its responsibility and not anticipating these events years ago, until they were bitten on the butt in the past few years. People are going to die from conditions due to not having electricity - mostly the elderly and the poor, so, meh, right? The actuaries have calculated that the wrongful death settlements will cost less than paying for an entire city burning down and all the agricultural liability they face, etc. - many millions vs many billions. That's what it's about. If this happens, Santa Barbara, of all places, becomes like a third world country for a period of time. This is also poorly planned, the maps are atrocious and useless. If your power goes off, it's gonna go off, and if you don't see yourself on the map, it's going off anyway. We, the consumer are currently powerless (pun intended) to do anything NOW, but we better get on this once the crisis has passed and come up with a better, more 21st Century plan. What's up with "smart meters" - are they just one way, or could they be adapted to selectively shut off, thus leaving critical business open to at least keep us fed, hydrated, and healthy, med-wise. This is the most arbitrary, stupid, and self-serving plan ever! I don't care who came up with this desperate scheme - PG&E, SCE, Gavin Newsmen , or the insurance and reinsurance companies - it needs to be rethought and another solution needs to be found.

a-1591173066
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Oct 18, 2019 09:13 PM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

.. because all that money we paid over the years went to CEOs bonuses and smart meters to charge us better and easier, much less went to maintenance, upgrade, long-term planning .... it is better to let these jokers roll over and bankrupt so we can start over.

a-1591173066
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Oct 18, 2019 08:50 PM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

Ah hell, elder caregiver, you are totally correct. Our system is bad. https://www.directrelief.org/2019/10/california-power-blackouts-reveal-vulnerability-in-healthcare/

a-1591173066
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Oct 18, 2019 08:41 PM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

Medical risk is, to me, the biggest issue. Next is inability to pay for needed protective measures. Are you and your friends/clients signed up with County Public Health and other caregivers? Have you researched all your backup options? I'm NOT talking about a generator. I'm a bit out of the loop; haven't caretaken since 2015. But please take advantage of what's out there! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Call Public Health and ask them about Disaster Partners Healthcare. Of course, no phone #. But it IS in the phone book. Yes, I still possess one and use it a couple of times a year. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FINALLY found something specific. Our local gov't. websites are not easy to use. https://www.countyofsb.org/phd/ems/epp.sbc ----------------------- GOOD LUCK!

winter
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Oct 18, 2019 06:36 PM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

Don't want to be snarky...Just saw Montecito, will have boards up..in the Village..maps of possible outages... Where is our leadership ???? Santa Barbara, Goleta ? You pay your PIOS, hundreds of thousands of dollars...to do nothing..

Factotum
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Oct 18, 2019 06:21 PM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

"The County Board of Supervisors voted on Tuesday to spend $825,000 more on outside legal experts to wage warfare with Southern California Edison, both for the power outages during high-risk fire weather and the Montecito debris flow." ( Source: Independent)

EricL
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Oct 18, 2019 05:04 PM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

I'm happy to say I've prepared for something like this for a few years now. Guns, ammo, food, water, emergency power cells, first aid kits - I got it all. I can hang for a month without power no problem. But why SHOULD I? Why should the poor schmuck that lives down the street who ISN'T prepared have to put up with it either? I've lived in this town since '78 and there should be no reason for it.

Shasta Guy
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Oct 18, 2019 04:19 PM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

YIKES SCE just cranked up the number of potentially affected customers substantially: ========================================================================== Santa Barbara County (24,148 customers) ◾Santa Barbara ◾Goleta ◾Carpinteria ◾Unincorporated areas including Orchams, El Encano Heights, Oak Park, Samarkand, North State, Cold Springs Canyon, Gaviota, Jalama Beach, Mission Canyon Map 1, Hwy 154, El Capitan Park, Montecito, Summerland, Mibek Rd., Sterrett Ave. and Foothill Ave =============================================================================Maybe they have been monitoring Edhat, and they don't like our comments.

Shasta Guy
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Oct 18, 2019 04:29 PM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

This means Eastside and Montecito people may not be able to pop over to Goleta for gas and etc. Be gassed up now. It looks like they may shut down a lot of us who thought they were not in the zone. Everyone needs to be ready. What stations remain open after the power goes out likely will long lines...

winter
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Oct 18, 2019 03:02 PM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

This is crazy...I do agree...we all need to be prepared...just confusing. I am now in the flat lands of Noleta. Used to be in the foothills.. Got 2 alerts last night, about 9:30...saying Turnpike, to More Mesa, might be shut off. We have not had much wind... Plus, Sheriffs Station, jail, gas stations, San Marcos, and Vons center, all here. Just stressful...one minute...you are excluded on the map, then get a text.

forrestmv18
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Oct 18, 2019 03:11 PM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

Perhaps he/she/it likes the fact that none of our statewide power providers have been performing mandatory maintenance for the past twenty years so shutting off our power makes complete sense. And further that our own state regulators have been in duplicitous bed with both SCE and PG&E must make him/her/it happy...

a-1591173066
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Oct 18, 2019 02:22 PM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

2:00 p.m. What is dumb is that you can't understand the delivery system for electricity, only that it is usually available like magic at your wall socket! If there is a shutoff to your home it is because the journey of your electricity is a lot longer than you seem able to contemplate.

a-1591173066
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Oct 18, 2019 02:05 PM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

@2:00 - even if you don't live in a fire risk area you could lose power because the lines and equipment that service your home are in a high risk area. It's all based on where their equipment is.

a-1591173066
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Oct 18, 2019 11:06 AM
Santa Barbara County Removed from Power Shut Off List

RED FLAG warning issued from this afternoon to Sunday. Be ready to have your power shut down no matter where you live. ------------- https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=CAZ039&warncounty=CAC083&firewxzone=CAZ239&local_place1=6%20Miles%20NW%20Isla%20Vista%20CA&product1=Red+Flag+Warning&lat=34.4826&lon=-119.9181#.Xan-2UZKiHs

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