California Power Outages Amid Eaton Canyon, Altadena, Pasadena Fires
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DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images
Southern California is grappling with significant power outages as large brush fires in Eaton Canyon, Altadena, and Pasadena continue to ravage the region. Thousands of residents, particularly in the Los Angeles area, have been left without power as high winds and flames wreak havoc on infrastructure.
Fires and Their Impact
The Eaton Canyon fire began on Tuesday evening, January 7, 2025, around 6:30 PM local time in the San Gabriel Mountains. By nightfall, it had scorched 400 acres, forcing firefighters to work tirelessly to contain the blaze. Earlier in the day, the Pasadena fire burned through more than 1,200 acres, intensifying the strain on emergency services.
Amidst a fast-spreading wildfire in the Los Angeles area in California, the city of Santa Monica has now begun to issue evacuation orders (CNN). Over 62,000 people have no power in the areas surrounding the Pacific Palisades, and over 3,000 acres have been burned so far between… pic.twitter.com/DpuNfLAnPz
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 8, 2025Advertisement
Widespread Power Outages
The fires, compounded by red-flag weather conditions, have led to extensive power outages across affected areas. Here’s a breakdown of the disruptions:
- Pasadena Water and Power (PWP)
- Over 3,000 customers in Pasadena have been left without electricity.
- Restoration efforts are underway, with some areas expected to regain power within 6–12 hours.
- Southern California Edison (SCE)
- Approximately 5,500 customers in Altadena and surrounding neighborhoods are affected.
- High winds and fire-related damage to power infrastructure are causing delays, with restoration timelines ranging from 12–24 hours.
- Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)
- Around 1,200 customers in northern Los Angeles County, including those near Eaton Canyon, are experiencing outages.
- Crews are working to repair downed power lines and clear fallen trees.
Challenges Posed by Weather
Red-flag cond itions, including wind speeds of up to 60 mph, have not only fueled the spread of the fires but also hampered power restoration efforts. The strong winds have caused significant damage to utility poles and power lines, making it difficult for crews to make repairs quickly.
Southern California: it looks like a large part of the Inland Empire is without power pic.twitter.com/rULvKPboig
— The NotARubicon (@TheNotARubicon) January 8, 2025
Resources for Real-Time Updates
Residents affected by the outages are encouraged to monitor the following resources for the latest information:
- Pasadena Water and Power Outage Map
- Southern California Edison (SCE) Outage Center
- Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) Power Outage Map
With containment efforts ongoing and weather conditions remaining volatile, power outages may persist or expand to other areas. Residents are advised to stay informed, follow evacuation orders where necessary, and prepare for potential prolonged disruptions.
This developing situation underscores the challenges posed by Southern California’s wildfire season, as communities, emergency services, and utility companies navigate the twin crises of fire and power outages.
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Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
