SCE to Hold Public Safety Power Shutoff Meeting to Avert Wildfire Catastrophe

Southern California Edison, one of the United States’ largest investor-owned electric utilities, is hosting a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) & Wildfire Safety Community Meeting.

The meeting will be held at the Santa Barbara County Education Office auditorium (4400 Cathedral Oaks Road, Santa Barbara) on Thursday, September 25.

There will be a resource fair from 5:15 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., followed by a community meeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event is free to attend, and Spanish interpretation will be available, the City of Goleta announced on the social media platform X.

Mark your calendars! 📅 SCE is hosting a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) & Wildfire Safety Community Meeting THIS Thursday, September 25th at the Santa Barbara County Education Office auditorium (4400 Cathedral Oaks Road, Santa Barbara). 🔥🚨

There will be a Resource Fair… pic.twitter.com/wUgpK5ekdf

— City of Goleta (@CityOfGoleta) September 22, 2025

During times of low humidity, dry vegetation, and high winds, Southern California Edison may use Public Safety Power Shutoffs to proactively and temporarily shut off power to keep communities safe and reduce the risk of a fire caused by utility equipment, according to the City of Goleta’s official site.

Due to the risk of extreme weather facing Southern California, residents may experience longer and more extensive PSPS outages, including in areas that historically have not experienced PSPS.

Meeting topics will include:

• Understanding PSPS decision-making
• Weather and fire science
• Wildfire mitigation and vegetation management
• Emergency preparedness
• Community resources and agency collaboration

Tragic wildfires are a growing concern for communities, regulators, and public safety agencies throughout California.

One of the key tools they use to reduce wildfire risk is the Public Safety Power Shutoff, where power may be temporarily turned off during dangerous conditions. While disruptive, these shutoffs are always a last-resort measure designed to protect lives and property.

PSPS decisions are based on data gathered from fire scientists and meteorologists forecasting dangerous wildfire conditions and on real-time information from our crews in the field.

The upcoming meeting will allow residents to understand and prepare for the challenges of living in high wildfire risk areas.