Daily Times (Primos, PA)

California winds bring wildfires, power outages to thousands

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LOS ANGELES » A windstorm that fanned brushfires, toppled trees and left thousands of California­ns without power focused its remaining energy Wednesday on the southern end of the state, where forecaster­s warned of the additional threat of heavy rain and flash flooding.

Strong winds were forecast through the day before tapering off. A low-pressure system moving across northern Baja California was expected to draw subtropica­l moisture into the region during the night, the National Weather Service said.

Winds gusts of 35 mph to 50 mph were reported in many canyons, valleys and coastal areas with gusts of 60 mph or more recorded in the mountains.

Flash-flood watches were posted for the eastern mountains and deserts and snow was expected at elevations of 5,500 feet (1,676 meters) and higher.

Utilities, meanwhile, were dealing with power outages resulting from a combinatio­n of wind damage and public safety power shutoffs intended to prevent sparks from downed or damaged equipment rom starting fires.

Southern California Edison’s website showed around 18,000 of its 5 million customers remained intentiona­lly blacked out early Wednesday.

Pacific Gas & Electric intentiona­lly shut power to around 5,000 customers in the northern and central areas of the state and was busy restoring power to around

286,000 customers who lost power due to severe weather. Most were expected to have their electricit­y restored by day’s end.

 ?? SHMUEL THLER — THE SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL VIA AP, FILE ?? In this Aug. 20, 2020, file photo The CZU August Lightning Complex fire consumes trees and a fence along Empire Grade Road in the Santa Cruz Mountains community of Bonny Doon near Santa Cruz. Months-old embers from a deadly California fire were blown back to life Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, by powerful winds that raked the state and prompted safety blackouts to tens of thousands of people. The state’s firefighti­ng agency says Tuesday it has responded to at least a dozen vegetation fires in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties in 12hours.
SHMUEL THLER — THE SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL VIA AP, FILE In this Aug. 20, 2020, file photo The CZU August Lightning Complex fire consumes trees and a fence along Empire Grade Road in the Santa Cruz Mountains community of Bonny Doon near Santa Cruz. Months-old embers from a deadly California fire were blown back to life Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, by powerful winds that raked the state and prompted safety blackouts to tens of thousands of people. The state’s firefighti­ng agency says Tuesday it has responded to at least a dozen vegetation fires in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties in 12hours.

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