El Segundo issues wildfire preparedness update as smoke and power risks continue

A City official for El Segundo City said the city is fully staffed in its police and fire departments and has one strike team deployed north to fight wildfires affecting neighboring areas, and urged residents to take precautions as smoke and the risk of rolling blackouts continue.

The city official said, “we are fully staffed in our police and fire departments with the highest ratio of first responders to residents in our region.” The official added that fire stations are “on alert” and that emergency management staff are monitoring weather events. The National Weather Service, the official said, reports winds and critical fire weather will persist “at least until Friday evening.”

Why it matters: the official said air quality in El Segundo is being affected by smoke and advised residents to stay indoors when possible and to consider wearing respiratory protection when outside. The official also warned that rolling blackouts “due to downed power lines could occur” and advised people to keep phones and critical electronics charged.

In the briefing the official gave public-safety guidance and community requests: if residents see smoke, call 911; assist neighbors who are older or need help; and be patient with displaced families. The official stated the city’s response times “remain less than 3 minutes.” The message closed with a request that residents monitor the city’s website, social media and phone alerts for updates.

No formal actions, votes or directives were recorded in the remarks. The comments were delivered as an operational update and public advisory rather than a formal agenda item.