SAN DIEGO -- San Diego Gas & Electric Co. could decide within a week whether to go ahead with a controversial plan to shut off power to parts of the county to prevent wildfires, a local newspaper reported.

Utility spokeswoman Stephanie Donovan told The San Diego Union-Tribune that the policy has created some concern since being unveiled earlier this month, and a decision would be made in the next week.

Under the plan, SDG&E would shut off power to much of the backcountry when strong winds, dry conditions and warm temperatures combine to form high-risk fire conditions.

Fire investigators have blamed the utility for three of the seven fires that charred San Diego County last year, finding that power lines sparked the blazes.

On Monday, the California Public Utilities Commission rejected a proposed rule change sought by SDG&E that would have specified when power could be cut off to customers. However, the commission left the door open for the utility to return with a new proposal that would outline exactly how the plan would work.

"We are encouraging the utility to present its fire safety plan to (us) for a full airing ... in advance of next year's fire season," commission spokeswoman Terrie Prosper told the Union-Tribune.

Critics of the plan argued that firefighters wouldn't have water when they needed it because water districts rely on power to operate. They've also argued that telephones and radios wouldn't work, and people dependent on electric medical devices would suffer.