Calif. Utility Proposes Novel Wildfire Tactic

ELLIOT SPAGAT

RAMONA, Calif. (AP) — A San Diego utility has come up with an unusual tactic to prevent wildfires this fall: Turn off the electricity to a vast swath of homes before the flames arrive. It says such a measure could have prevented three major fires that devastated the region two years ago.

But critics call it a bad idea that will cause a number of crucial systems to fail immediately or within hours, such as life-critical medical devices, water pumps, phones, garage door openers, traffic lights. Without generators, people may be forced to flee or, even worse, start fires by using candles, lanterns and barbecues.

The California Public Utilities Commission is scheduled to vote as early as Thursday on San Diego Gas & Electric's plan to cut off power to 60,000 homes and businesses in dry, windy weather. The showdown comes as the state braces for another season of dry, fierce winds that can topple power lines and set off wildfires.

The plan, if approved, may be introduced elsewhere. Edison International's Southern California Edison had one in 2003 that targeted about 30,000 homes and it cut power once, in the tiny community of Idylwild. A spokesman, Steve Conroy, says the Los Angeles-area utility has no cutoff plan now but is watching the San Diego decision closely.