Safety
Public Safety Power Shutoff
Click on the video below to learn more about Public Safety Power Shutoffs.
As California’s wildfires continue to escalate in frequency and intensity, Bear Valley Electric Service, Inc. (BVES) is committed to protecting its customers and Big Bear from the potential risk of a catastrophic fire. As part of our proactive approach, BVES has permission from the State of California to implement a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) in high-risk areas if extreme conditions present a clear and imminent danger to public safety to prevent our electric system from becoming a source of ignition.
A PSPS is intended to reduce the risk of wildfires by proactively turning off power when severe weather is forecasted.
BVES continuously monitors weather and fire conditions so that we can consider a shutoff when and where PSPS thresholds are met. Several factors are carefully evaluated to determine whether a proactive shutoff is required to ensure the safety of our customers and their property. These factors include:
Red Flag Warnings issued by the National Weather Service alerting the public of elevated fire risk due to extreme weather conditions.
Low Humidity Levels increasing fire risk due to a decreased level of water vapor in the air.
High Wind Forecasts creating ideal conditions for a fire to easily spread.
Real-Time Observations by Our Team of Experts
Additionally, here are four things to know about PSPS events:
PSPS events can be unplanned, so BVES urges customers to develop an outage preparedness plan and prepare for outages now.
Even if Big Bear is not experiencing extreme weather conditions, you could still lose power if Southern California Edison (SCE) implements a PSPS on a transmission line.
BVESInc.com will always alert customers, local government, and safety officials in advance and keep the community apprised of evolving conditions via BVES.com, Facebook (@BearValleyElectricService) and email. Stay up to date with the latest BVES updates by signing up for our email alerts here.
During most PSPS events, BVES may open community resource centers to provide charging stations water and other resources.
As a reminder, extreme weather conditions are not always predictable, and the sudden onset of such conditions may hinder BVES’ ability to provide the community with advanced notice.
Prior to an emergency, customers who require power to operate life-essential medical equipment are strongly encouraged to make special accommodations or dial 9-1-1 if they are unable to secure alternative power.
The safety of our customers is our top priority, so if you have any questions, call our customer service team at 1-800-808-2837.
Bear Valley Electric Service, Inc. Public Safety Power Shutoff Plan
Bear Valley Electric Service, Inc. Emergency Response Plan
2022 Wildfire Mitigation and PSPS Preparation
Proactive De-Energization Policy