Big Bear Planned Power Outage Oct. 16–17: BVES's Timeline, Rolling Blackouts, and What to Do Tonight

Tomorrow night, SCE will shut off the main power line that feeds Bear Valley. This one isn't a weather warning. It's scheduled maintenance, and BVES has published a plan for it. Here's what the plan says, how it differs from a Public Safety Power Shutoff, and how to get ready on a Friday night when many cabins are full of guests.



The timeline BVES published

BVES says the work window runs from 11:30 p.m. Friday, October 16, to 7 a.m. Saturday, October 17, and that customers will not experience an outage for that entire window. Here's the sequence:

• 11:30 p.m. Friday: BVES crews begin shifting local energy loads to alternate sources, including BVES's own power plant, in preparation for SCE's shutoff. Some customers may experience a brief outage during this step.
• 2 a.m. Saturday: SCE de-energizes the main power lines serving Bear Valley. BVES expects to be able to power approximately 80% of its customers during this time, based on its load switches. Its goal is to conduct rolling blackouts for the remaining customers.
• After SCE finishes: BVES will restore power as soon as it can. For about 30 minutes after SCE restores power, some customers will experience a momentary outage as the grid shifts back to its normal sources.
• If SCE's work runs late: BVES says it will let customers know.

BVES says the maintenance is designed to improve the reliability of its main power lines, which are fed from Lucerne and have historically been susceptible to high winds and fire risk.

Planned maintenance isn't a PSPS

• A planned outage is scheduled, with advance notice and a load-shifting plan. A PSPS is triggered by weather, and BVES says PSPS events can be unplanned.
• The cause is the same upstream line. BVES imports much of its power over SCE lines from Lucerne Valley, which is why the valley is affected when SCE shuts a line down. We explain it in why Big Bear loses power when it's calm here.
• This isn't the first time. For SCE maintenance on September 12 and October 3, 2023, BVES warned that load would be severely limited and rolling blackouts were possible, with short outages for switching. In those notices BVES named Fawnskin, Erwin Lake, Lake Williams, Sugarloaf, and Moonridge as areas that could be affected. Tomorrow's notice doesn't list areas, so check BVES for yours.

What we don't know yet

The notice doesn't say how long each rolling blackout will last or which neighborhoods will be on the rotation. In a September 2024 alert, BVES described rolling blackouts of two to four hours. That was a different event, so use it only as a rough guide and check BVES for tomorrow's details. Contact BVES at (800) 808-2837 or bvesinc.com, or follow its Facebook page.

Prepare tonight

• Charge everything: phones, power banks, laptops, and flashlights.
• Plan for the heat. A gas or propane furnace still needs electricity for its blower and ignition, so it won't run during an outage. Check tonight's forecast, have blankets ready, and if you have a wood stove, know how you'll use it safely.
• Leave the refrigerator and freezer alone, doors closed. Our restart guide has the 4-hour food rule.
• Keep a physical key handy and know your garage door's manual release, since keypads, smart locks, and openers depend on power.
• Adjust EV charging. If your car charges overnight, an outage will interrupt it. Charge earlier if you need a full battery Saturday morning, and check Saturday that charging resumed.
• Think about your guests. If you own or manage a vacation rental, tell Friday-night guests now about the planned outage and what to expect, instead of leaving them to find out at 2 a.m.

If anyone depends on medical equipment

BVES says customers who require power to operate life-essential medical equipment should make special accommodations in advance, or dial 911 if they can't secure alternative power. That includes CPAP machines, oxygen concentrators, and refrigerated medications. BVES's PSPS page links to its plan for supporting customers with access and functional needs, which is worth reading before you need it.

Protect your electronics during the transition

BVES's own notice says to expect a momentary outage for about 30 minutes after SCE restores power, as the grid shifts to its normal sources. That's our advice, not BVES's: treat that half hour as unstable. Keep computers, TVs, and other sensitive electronics unplugged, and hold off restarting big loads like the water heater and hot tub until the flicker is over. After that, follow our restart guide.

If you're using a generator

Never plug a generator into a wall outlet, because it can back-feed the lines and injure crews. Run it outdoors, well away from the house. A transfer switch is the safe way to power the house, and our backup generator guide explains it. Installing one isn't something that can happen before tomorrow night, but if this outage shows you need one, now's the time to plan it.

Questions about the planned outage

Is this the same as a PSPS?

No. It's scheduled maintenance with a published plan. A PSPS is triggered by weather conditions and can be unplanned.

Will my power be out the whole time?

BVES says customers won't experience an outage for the entire work window, and it expects to power about 80% of customers. The rest may be on rolling blackouts, and the notice doesn't say how long each one lasts.

What if SCE's maintenance runs late?

BVES says it will let customers know. Watch its website and Facebook page.

Need help after the outage, or want surge protection or a transfer switch in place before the next one?

Call Big Bear Electric Pros at (909) 415-5573.

If something doesn't come back on after power is restored, call us.