Wildfire Shutoffs Cut Power and Phone in Calabasas
Businesses in fire-prone California communities should plan for multi-day outages that also knock out phone and internet service.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Utilities
Live Poll
Do you support utilities cutting power during windy weather to prevent wildfires?
Residents of Calabasas and Malibu lost power and communication service during three days of utility power shutoffs in October 2026, leaving some unable to call 911 or receive emergency notifications. The shutoffs, conducted by SoCal Edison as a public safety power shutoff during Santa Ana winds, are drawing scrutiny from local officials and affect utility customers across Los Angeles County.
Why it matters
Utilities cut power during wildfire danger to keep their equipment from sparking fires, but the lowered wind threshold for shutoffs has increased how often customers lose service. The episode shows the operational tradeoff California utilities face between wildfire risk and the continuity of power, communications and emergency alerts that businesses and households depend on.
The shutoffs lasted three days in October, and the PSPS wind trigger has dropped from 40 mph gusts to 20 mph gusts over time. SoCal Edison's reported average electric bill savings from its solar offer is 40%, a figure not tied to the outage episode.
The players
SoCal Edison
A major Southern California electric utility that serves millions of customers and conducts public safety power shutoffs in fire-prone areas.
Calabasas City Council
The elected governing body of the City of Calabasas, which heard resident concerns about the shutoffs and has weighed neighborhood generators as a solution.
The details
Utilities use a public safety power shutoff to cut electricity during wildfire danger so their equipment cannot ignite a fire in high winds. Residents of Calabasas and Malibu reported that the shutoffs also took out cellphone, landline and internet service, leaving them unable to call 911 or receive emergency notifications. To reduce fire risk, the utility is installing covered conductors and placing powerlines underground in Calabasas.
Timeline
October 2026: Three days of utility shutoffs in Calabasas and Malibu.
November 1, 2026: Article published on residents' experiences with the shutoffs.
Market Landscape
California's public safety power shutoff framework lets utilities cut power in high-wind, high-fire-danger conditions, and the lowered wind threshold has made such outages more frequent. Utility-led grid hardening such as covered conductors and undergrounding is the infrastructure response now being deployed in Calabasas.
Businesses in fire-prone parts of California should plan for multi-day outages that also cut phone and internet service, and they should confirm backup power and communications before the next high-wind period. Operators who depend on the grid for continuity should review their emergency contact and alert procedures with qualified advisors.
The takeaway
Operators in wildfire-prone regions should treat utility shutoffs as a recurring operating risk and build backup power and emergency communications into continuity plans. Track whether the lowered wind threshold continues to increase shutoff frequency in your service area.
Further reading
For broader context on how utilities manage grid risk, explore our Utilities coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Cool Down.
Live Poll
Do you support utilities cutting power during windy weather to prevent wildfires?
