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SDG&E plans to pull power to Julian Community

Posted at 11:39 PM, Dec 06, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-07 14:10:29-05

JULIAN, Calif. (KGTV) – SDG&E is closely monitoring the winds in the Julian.  They are preparing to turn off power to the community if the winds get too strong creating an extreme risk of fires.

RELATEDSanta Ana winds bring 'extreme' fire danger to San Diego on Thursday

The brought and tested a generator in town, which will be switched on if the power is turned on. It is expected to power the downtown area, along Main Street, between A Street and the RAMCO gas station.

Thursday, SDG&E reportedly shut off power to downtown Julian amid elevated wind speeds in the area.

It is a way to try and eliminate the risk of a power line getting knocked over and sparking a fire. 

An SDG&E spokeswoman says if the town is switched to generator power, “customers who are powered by the generator will experience a momentary power outage and then they will have full service with no restrictions during operation.  Those customers will also experience a short outage when it comes time to reconnect them back to the power grid.”

RELATED: East San Diego County communities on alert for possible SDG&E power outages

SDG&E has utilized generators in the past. Ten years ago, the company used a generator was used to power part of Palomar Mountain for about two months.

At Jack’s Grocery & Deli, owner Rowait Hanko says firewood and candles were a top seller today.

“I asked (my customers), ‘why’s everyone buying candles?’” Hanko said. “And they say 'the power might be out tomorrow.'"  

RELATED: Wildfires burning in Ventura, Los Angeles Counties: What we know

There were also people filing up on gas tanks to power their generators for refrigerators and freezers at home.

“Always good to be prepared,” Julian resident Michael Dilley said.