California's High Winds Toppling Trees; Power Shutoffs Possible for Quarter Million Customers As Fire Risk Increases

Ron Brackett

Published: January 18, 2021

Strong winds are already causing damage in California and utilities have warned customers may see public safety power shutoffs.

A large redwood tree fell Monday morning near Larkfield-Wikiup in Sonoma County, the National Weather Service reported, and a tree blocked a highway near Calistoga in Napa County.

Pacific Gas & Electric notified about 6,100 customers in small portions of Fresno, Kern, Madera, Mariposa and Tulare counties to be prepared for possible blackouts Monday night.

SPONSORED: 20% off at Sur La Table

In Southern California, much of which is already under a high wind warning, Southern California Edison says it is considering shutoffs for more than 240,000 customers. Most of those are in Ventura, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.

A low-pressure system is partially responsible for the gusting winds. Winds over 60 mph are possible in Northern California mountains and foothills through Tuesday evening.

(MORE: Low Pressure to Bring Strong Santa Ana Winds to Southern California)

To the south, gusts of 60 to 80 mph are possible in the mountains, foothills and some valley areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties on Tuesday and Tuesday night, the NWS office in Los Angeles said.

The winds could knock down trees and power lines and cause significant property damage, the NWS said. Driving could be dangerous for high-profile vehicles.

Critical fire weather conditions also are possible in the south. Cal Fire said fire weather warnings and red flag warnings were in place for parts of Southern California.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, most of Southern California ranges from moderate to exceptional drought.

“Some of our strongest Santa Anas do occur in January and we normally don’t worry about wildfires much because we’ve had precipitation and fuels are wet, but not this year for obvious reasons,” Eric Boldt, an NWS meteorologist, told the Los Angeles Times.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.