When does SDG&E shut off power for fire risk, and how do I get warned?
SDG&E calls a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) when strong winds, low humidity and dry brush make a fire from power lines likely, mostly in back-country and inland areas during Santa Ana season. When it can, it warns affected customers about 48, 24 and 12 hours ahead and again 1 to 4 hours before, by text, email and the Alerts by SDG&E app, so keep your contact info current in My Energy Center and check outage.sdge.com.
- Outage map
- outage.sdge.com
- Shutoff updates
- sdge.com/ready
- First warning
- About 48 hours ahead
- Downed line
- 911 or 800-411-7343
Planned shutoffs and unplanned outages, with restore estimates
Affected communities and open Community Resource Centers
Then 24 h, 12 h and 1-4 h, when possible
Stay away and report it
The short version
- SDG&E's Oct. 2-5, 2026 shutoff put nearly 35,000 customers in more than 30 communities, including El Cajon and Poway, at risk of losing power
- Santa Ana winds usually blow October through December and peak in December, per the National Weather Service in San Diego
- SDG&E's 2026 Generator Assistance Program pays $300 toward a fuel generator and $150 toward a portable power station ($525 for Medical Baseline customers)
- After the wind drops, crews need roughly 4 to 8 hours of daylight to patrol lines before power comes back
- SDG&E keeps contracts for 11 permanent Community Resource Centers, open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. during shutoffs
SDG&E turns off power on purpose when weather makes it likely that wind could push debris into lines and start a fire. It weighs wind speed, humidity, temperature, how dry the brush is, crew reports and fire agency input. Most shutoffs hit inland and back-country circuits, but they can reach bigger cities too: the October 2-5, 2026 event put nearly 35,000 customers at risk in more than 30 communities, with El Cajon and Poway the largest, according to Times of San Diego. We checked SDG&E, CPUC filings and local news on November 3, 2026.
When do SDG&E power shutoffs happen?
Mostly in fall and early winter, when Santa Ana winds blow. SDG&E's 2026 pre-season report says local fire season has historically started around September 1, and the National Weather Service in San Diego told Cal OES the Santa Anas usually run October through December and peak in December. They are not limited to fall: SDG&E de-energized customers on January 7-16, 2025, and opened 10 Community Resource Centers during that event, and filed reports on more shutoffs in November and December 2025.
How SDG&E warns you before a shutoff
- About 48 hours before
First notice
Customers who may be affected, Medical Baseline customers, critical facilities and local agencies
- 24 and 12 hours before
Updates
Text, email and the Alerts by SDG&E app
- 1 to 4 hours beforeNow
Imminent
Last warning before circuits go off
- During
Shutoff and resource centers
Notices when power goes off and when Community Resource Centers open
- After winds drop
Patrol and restore
About 4 to 8 daylight hours of patrols; no night patrols
- About 48 hours before
First notice
Customers who may be affected, Medical Baseline customers, critical facilities and local agencies
- 24 and 12 hours before
Updates
Text, email and the Alerts by SDG&E app
- Now1 to 4 hours before
Imminent
Last warning before circuits go off
- During
Shutoff and resource centers
Notices when power goes off and when Community Resource Centers open
- After winds drop
Patrol and restore
About 4 to 8 daylight hours of patrols; no night patrols
When conditions allow. Source: SDG&E PSPS page, checked Nov 3, 2026
Before power comes back, crews patrol every line; helicopters can fly only when winds are under 35 mph.
Where do I check if my power is out or scheduled to be shut off?
Planned shutoff vs. unplanned outage
| Public Safety Power Shutoff | Unplanned outage | |
|---|---|---|
| Why | Fire-weather precaution | Equipment failure, wind damage, crashes |
| Warning | Usually 48 h to 1-4 h ahead | None |
| Where to check | sdge.com/ready and outage.sdge.com | outage.sdge.com |
| Restore time | Only after winds ease and lines are patrolled; can take days | Estimated time shown on the outage map |
| Help on site | Community Resource Centers open | Usually none |
Public Safety Power Shutoff
- Why
- Fire-weather precaution
- Warning
- Usually 48 h to 1-4 h ahead
- Where to check
- sdge.com/ready and outage.sdge.com
- Restore time
- Only after winds ease and lines are patrolled; can take days
- Help on site
- Community Resource Centers open
Unplanned outage
- Why
- Equipment failure, wind damage, crashes
- Warning
- None
- Where to check
- outage.sdge.com
- Restore time
- Estimated time shown on the outage map
- Help on site
- Usually none
- Community Resource Centers offer water, ice, snacks, Wi-Fi, phone and medical device charging, and some have air conditioning; find open ones at sdge.com/ready
- 211 San Diego works 24/7 in more than 200 languages; hearing-impaired callers can dial 711 or 858-900-1211
- Updates post on SDGEtoday.com and @SDGE on X during an event
- During heat waves SDG&E asks customers to cut use between 4 and 9 p.m.
Can I get a generator or battery rebate from SDG&E?
Yes, if you live in a High Fire Threat District (Tier 2 or 3) and have already been through at least one shutoff. The 2026 Generator Assistance Program is open and gives one rebate per type per household, for new qualifying models bought in California in 2026. Fuel generators must be CARB compliant with a carbon monoxide sensor and auto shutoff. If you got a rebate in an earlier year, you can't get another.
SDG&E Generator Assistance Program rebates, 2026
| Customer | Fuel generator | Portable power station |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $300 | $150 |
| CARE or FERA (income programs) | $500 ($300 + $200) | $200 ($150 + $50) |
| Medical Baseline or Access and Functional Needs | $300 | $525 |
Standard
- Fuel generator
- $300
- Portable power station
- $150
CARE or FERA (income programs)
- Fuel generator
- $500 ($300 + $200)
- Portable power station
- $200 ($150 + $50)
Medical Baseline or Access and Functional Needs
- Fuel generator
- $300
- Portable power station
- $525
Source: SDG&E Generator Assistance Program pages, checked Nov 3, 2026
SDG&E's rebate for a portable power station jumps to $525 for Medical Baseline customers.
Is this still right?
We last checked this tip against its sources on November 3, 2026, and we re-research every tip on a schedule. Things in San Diego change, sometimes overnight.
Prices, fees, hours and rules change, often at the start of a year or season. Confirm with the official source linked below before you rely on a number.
This is general information, not legal, financial, tax, medical or safety advice.
KEEP READING
SOURCES
Everything above traces back to one of these. Follow them — if one has changed and we haven't, that's our mistake, not yours.
- PrimaryPublic Safety Power Shutoffs
SDG&E · Checked November 3, 2026
Conditions weighed, 48/24/12/1-4 hour notices, 4-8 hour daylight patrols, 35 mph helicopter limit, My Energy Center steps
- Primary2026 PSPS Pre-Season Report
SDG&E (filed with CPUC) · July 1, 2026
11 permanent CRCs, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; fire season around Sept. 1; Alerts by SDG&E app; resiliency programs
- Primary2025 PSPS Post-Season Report
SDG&E (filed with CPUC) · Checked November 3, 2026
Jan. 7-16, 2025 event with 10 CRCs; Nov. and Dec. 2025 events referenced
- PrimaryGenerator Assistance Program
SDG&E · Checked November 3, 2026
$300/$150 base; CARE/FERA +$200/+$50; HFTD Tier 2-3 and prior PSPS required
SDG&E · Checked November 3, 2026
$300 generator or $525 portable power station
- PrimaryMedical Baseline Program
SDG&E · Checked November 3, 2026
Eligibility, doctor form, 20% untiered discount, generator notification requirement
Times of San Diego · October 2, 2026
Nearly 35,000 customers, 30+ communities, El Cajon and Poway; 4-9 p.m. conservation request
KPBS / City News Service · October 2, 2026
CRC services, 211 details, 800-411-7343 for downed lines
Cal OES · October 14, 2023
NWS San Diego: Santa Anas typically October-December, peak December