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Simi Valley details wildfire, power-shutoff response; seeks grants for intersection safety and emergency generators
Summary
City leaders outlined response to nearby wind-driven wildfires and large Public Safety Power Shutoffs, described local emergency services actions and resource centers, and said staff has applied for a grant to add reflective material to remaining traffic signals and will evaluate larger generators in the coming budget.
Mayor Pro Tem Kavanaugh and city staff told the council that Simi Valley is actively monitoring nearby wind-driven wildfires and ongoing Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) and urged residents to use official channels for updates.
The city said recent PSPS from Southern California Edison affected roughly 20 of the city’s 24 circuits and left more than 32,000 customers without power. “Edison has the sole authority to make decisions regarding PSPS events. The city of Simi Valley does not control when power is turned off or restored,” Mayor Pro Tem Kavanaugh said, adding the city has pushed Edison for quicker restorations and is coordinating with Ventura County and elected officials to seek long-term improvements. The city distributed disaster-preparedness materials at City Hall, the senior center and the library, and opened city facilities for charging, Wi-Fi and other resilience services.
City staff described several immediate and near-term steps. The city noted Ventura County Fire is operating at a brush level of response and that staffing and strike teams were increased; Simi Valley’s waterworks team is prioritizing generator fuel and checks on storage tanks and hydrants. City staff cautioned the local water system is not sized to supply the exceptionally large volumes needed for prolonged wildfire suppression outside the city. The city posted a phone number for water questions: Simi Valley Waterworks District No. 8 at (805) 583-6469.
On traffic and public-safety measures during outages, staff said temporary stop signs and battery-operated flares have been used, but strong winds have displaced some temporary devices. Council members and residents urged more durable visibility measures for dark intersections. Staff said the city has applied for a grant to add reflective tape to the remaining traffic signals; about 30 intersections already have reflective material and Caltrans ramps have been treated, while roughly 91 intersections remain to be retrofitted. Staff told council the grant application is for about $940,000 and that the per-intersection cost for the reflective treatment is roughly $10,000, reflecting prevailing wages and labor costs.
Council and staff also discussed backup power. The city manager said staff are evaluating the need for larger generators at critical sites and will bring budget items or policy proposals forward during the budget process; the city is also pursuing emergency-management grants that could offset costs.
The city noted resources available from Southern California Edison, including a temporary customer resource center the company opened at the Courtyard Marriott in Simi Valley with information and resiliency kits through Wednesday at 10 p.m. Residents were encouraged to file concerns with the California Public Utilities Commission (cpuc.ca.gov) and to register for emergency notifications through vcalert.org. A red-flag warning and a PDS alert covering strong winds and critical fire-weather conditions were in effect at the time of the council comments, with dangerous conditions expected through Wednesday, January 15.
Why it matters: The council’s updates lay out how city operations and partner agencies are supporting residents during power outages and nearby wildfires and identify near-term projects (reflective signal treatments, potential generator investments) that aim to reduce the risk to public safety during future PSPS events.
