Power Utility Edison Warns of Possible Shutoffs for 3,100 L.A. County Customers

About 3,100 Southern California Edison customers in Los Angeles County could have their power cut on purpose this week, as a wildfire precaution. The utility's warning, and the heat and fire alerts behind it, were reported by MyNewsLA on August 26, 2026. The report does not say when, or whether, any cuts would begin.

The warning applies mainly near Malibu and the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area, and in northern parts of the county including Castaic and Sandberg, the outlet reported. Public Safety Power Shutoffs are precautionary cuts made during high fire danger, intended to keep energized lines and equipment from sparking a fire. For households in those areas, the practical planning problem is a hot afternoon with no air conditioning at home.

The heat warning runs to Friday night

An extreme heat warning covers the bulk of the Southland through 8 p.m. Friday, August 28. Forecasters expect highs as high as 112 degrees in “the traditionally hottest areas, including the valleys and the San Gabriel and Santa Monica mountains,” in language MyNewsLA quoted. Beaches and inland coastal areas are also under warnings, with readings up to 102 degrees possible away from the immediate coast.

“High and low temperatures will continue to rise through Thursday, to as much as 10 to 15 degrees above average, with not much change for Friday,” the National Weather Service said in language quoted by the outlet.

In Orange County, extreme heat warnings hold through 8 p.m. Friday for the Santa Ana Mountains and foothills, and for inland cities including Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Anaheim, Fullerton and Irvine. Orange County coastal areas are under a less severe heat advisory. Lancaster had reached 105 degrees by late afternoon on Tuesday, August 25, the outlet reported. Van Nuys reached 104 degrees that afternoon, and Anaheim 94 degrees.

Where the fire risk is highest

A red flag warning of critical fire danger runs until 3 p.m. Friday, August 28, in northern Los Angeles County, according to the MyNewsLA report. The warning covers the San Gabriel Mountains and the Golden State (5) and Antelope Valley (14) freeway corridors. Forecasters expect 106 to 108 degrees inside that area. Humidity could drop below 10% in some spots.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department has added staffing and pre-positioned personnel and equipment across the area for faster response to wildfires, the outlet reported. The report lists no closures, event cancellations or access restrictions tied to the warning.

Cooling centers, and a warning about the water

Cities across the Southland open cooling centers for residents without air conditioning. The listings named in the report:

• City of Los Angeles cooling centers: emergency.lacity.gov/heat, or call 311.
• Los Angeles County cooling centers, plus county pools and splash pads: ready.lacounty.gov/heat/.

Health officials urged residents, in advice MyNewsLA quoted, to “drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms, avoid the sun during the hottest parts of the day and check on relatives and neighbors.” The county fire department also warned that elevated surf and strong rip currents are hitting beaches, raising the drowning risk for people heading to the coast to escape the heat.

The record

Downtown Los Angeles has averaged 88.4 degrees since July 1, the National Weather Service said. That figure runs through Monday, August 24. The previous record for the same stretch, 88.1 degrees, was set in 1886. It was matched in 1998.

Source: mynewsla.com, retrieved August 26, 2026.