Extreme heat causes power outages in Los Angeles County

On Friday, a severe heat wave gripped Los Angeles County, leading to record-breaking temperatures and significant strain on the power grid. The extreme weather conditions resulted in approximately 130 power outages, affecting over 16,500 households in the city of Los Angeles. The San Fernando Valley experienced the most outages, with temperatures consistently exceeding 100 degrees. Pasadena implemented rolling outages to manage the situation while repairs were underway. The heat wave, which began earlier in the week, prompted excessive heat warnings across the region, raising concerns about wildfires in Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties. Burbank recorded a staggering 114 degrees, tying its all-time high. The outages were particularly impactful in neighborhoods surrounding the University of Southern California, where nearly 3,300 customers lost power. Despite the challenges faced by local grids, the statewide power grid remained stable, with California ISO assuring that there would be sufficient power to meet the increased demand. Officials indicated that cooler weather was anticipated, which would help alleviate the strain on the power infrastructure. Mayor Karen Bass and LADWP crews worked diligently to restore power to affected areas, emphasizing the importance of safety during the restoration process. As the heat wave subsides, residents are hopeful for a return to normalcy and a reduction in the risk of further outages.