Wildfire Power Outages in Los Angeles: A Practical Guide to Protecting Your Home and Family
In January 2025, Los Angeles residents were hit with wildfires that gutted thousands of houses and displaced more than 200,000 residents. The catastrophes not only endangered lives and property but also resulted in general power shutdowns, cutting off supplies to most for days. If both wildfires and blackouts happen at the same time, normal daily tasks become all but impossible. This guide will help you get ready for these twin crises with easy steps to take today. Don't wait until the lights are out or there's smoke to prepare.
How Wildfires Cause Power Outages in Los Angeles
Wildfires and power outages are related, with one often leading to the other. Understanding these connections is the reason you might lose power even when you do not see any fire in your immediate surroundings.
1. Melted Power Lines and Burned Utility Poles
Wildfires damage power equipment by direct contact. Fire melts the insulation on power lines, sets wooden utility poles ablaze, and destroys transformers. During the January 2025 wildfires, extensive power infrastructure was damaged, resulting in nearly 50,000 customers losing power on the first day, with that number quickly rising to over 200,000 by that evening. Metal components can buckle from excessive heat, making equipment inoperable even if not entirely burned up.
2. LADWP's Public Safety Power Shutoffs During High Winds
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) temporarily intentionally turns off electricity to prevent starting fires. Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) are done when high-risk weather—high winds, low humidity, and dry conditions—are present and damaged power lines might start new fires. LADWP attempts to provide warning to residents before shutoffs, but fast-changing conditions sometimes do not permit sufficient notice.
3. Ash Deposits Causing Electrical Short Circuits
Wildfires can also result in outages even without contact with direct flame. Dense smoke and ash accumulation on electrical apparatus provide conductive paths for electricity to travel where it should not, resulting in short circuits. Particles in the air due to smoke may also weaken insulation between power lines, resulting in unintended failure. These indirect actions are responsible for outages that happen miles from real fire locations.
Safety Steps During Los Angeles Wildfire Power Outages
Power outages during wildfires create unique hazards beyond simple inconvenience—they can complicate evacuation, communication, and basic survival needs. The following steps will help you respond effectively when Los Angeles wildfires knock out your electricity.
1. Check Your Circuit Breaker Before Calling LADWP
Before assuming a widespread outage, check your circuit breaker box and reset any tripped breakers. Look outside to see if your neighbors' lights are also out. Call LADWP at 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397) to report the outage and ask about its extent and estimated duration. The LADWP outage map at www.ladwp.com/outages also shows affected areas in real-time.
2. Stay Away from Fallen Electrical Wires
Treat every downed power line as if it carries a lethal current, even if it appears inactive. Keep at least 35 feet away from fallen lines, and call 911 immediately to report them. Educate children about this danger. Remember that wet ground near a downed line can conduct electricity for surprising distances, especially after firefighting activities have soaked the area.
3. Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning from Backup Power Sources
Never run generators, camp stoves, or charcoal grills inside your home, garage, or near open windows. Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and deadly. Place generators at least 20 feet from buildings with exhaust facing away from structures. Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups on every level of your home, particularly near sleeping areas. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, and confusion.
4. Access Emergency Information When Internet Is Down
Keep a battery-powered or hand-crank radio to receive emergency broadcasts when cell networks fail. Los Angeles emergency stations include KNX 1070 AM and KFI 640 AM. For smartphones, download the ReadyLA app before disaster strikes, as it caches critical information for offline use. Set your phone to low power mode to extend battery life, and use it sparingly for essential communications only.
5. Preserve Food Without Refrigeration
An unopened refrigerator keeps food safe for approximately 4 hours, while a full freezer maintains safe temperatures for about 48 hours (24 hours if half-full). Use coolers with ice for items you'll need frequent access to. Digital thermometers help monitor food temperatures—discard perishables that reach above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 2 hours. Stock up on shelf-stable foods that require no refrigeration or cooking: peanut butter, crackers, canned goods with pull-tops, and dried fruits.
6. Manage Water When Pumps Fail
Wildfire power outages often affect water pumping stations, reducing pressure or completely stopping water flow in hillside neighborhoods. Fill bathtubs, sinks, and large containers with water as soon as you learn of approaching fires. Store at least one gallon of water per person per day for a minimum of three days. Water heaters typically hold 40-60 gallons of usable water—learn how to safely drain yours by turning off the power to the unit first, then opening the drain valve at the bottom.
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Official Information Sources During Los Angeles Power Outages
Los Angeles residents have multiple reliable information sources to monitor developing situations, track power restoration efforts, and receive evacuation notices. Bookmark these resources now, before you need them in an emergency.
LADWP Outage Map and Alert System
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power maintains a real-time power outage map at www.ladwp.com/outages where you can see affected areas, estimated restoration times, and the number of customers without power. If you have a medical emergency, LADWP recommends calling 9-1-1 rather than using their outage reporting system. To report an outage or check status, call 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397). LADWP also offers a 24/7 outage alert service that sends notifications via text or email when significant outages occur, when updates are available, and when power is restored. Sign up through your LADWP online account by visiting their website.
LA County Fire Department Wildfire Updates
The Los Angeles County Fire Department provides critical wildfire information through multiple channels. Their official website (fire.lacounty.gov) contains information about current fire incidents and safety resources. For fire-specific information, resources such as the Palisades Fire page include details on utility restoration, safety warnings about downed power lines, and guidance on returning home safely after evacuation. Follow their social media channels for immediate updates during emergencies.
NotifyLA Emergency Alert System
NotifyLA is the City of Los Angeles' official emergency alert system that sends critical information to residents and businesses during emergencies via phone, text, and email. This system provides timely notifications about evacuation orders, dangerous conditions, and protective actions to take during wildfires and power outages. While landline phones are automatically registered through the 911 database, you must register cell phones and email addresses separately.
Reliable Local News Coverage During Emergencies
Los Angeles has several trusted news outlets that provide continuous coverage during wildfire emergencies. KTLA (Channel 5) serves as Southern California's source for breaking news, weather, and live video coverage. ABC7 (KABC) provides live streaming video covering Los Angeles, Orange County, and the greater Southern California area. NBC4 offers breaking news alerts, local news, and weather forecasts. For radio updates when power fails, KNX News 97.1 FM provides 24-hour news coverage with traffic reports every 10 minutes. Keep a battery-powered radio tuned to these stations during emergencies.
Community Resources and Emergency Preparedness
The Ready Your LA Neighborhood (RYLAN) program from the City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department offers free tools to help families, businesses, and neighborhoods prepare for disasters. Lacity These resources include customizable emergency plans, preparedness checklists, and community workshops. Visit the website to access these materials and learn about free training opportunities through partner agencies. Being prepared before a disaster strikes is your best defense against wildfire power outages.
Act Now Before Wildfires Strike!
Los Angeles wildfire power outages call for preparedness before disaster strikes. By understanding how fires can affect power systems, following safety procedures during blackouts, and being knowledgeable of where to find reliable information, you can respond to protect your loved ones when emergencies hit. Don't wait for smoke or a dimming light. Prepare emergency supplies, establish family communication plans, and enroll in alerts ahead of time. Easy readiness today can protect your home when wildfires and power outages converge.