⚡ ALERT: Potential BVES Power Shutoff June 26–28 — What Big Bear Homeowners Need to Do Right Now

Bear Valley Electric Service (BVES) has issued an urgent notice: Southern California Edison (SCE) has placed two BVES transmission lines on its Monitored Circuit List for a potential Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS).



The window of concern: 12:00 PM Friday, June 26 through 12:00 AM Sunday, June 28.

If SCE de-energizes those lines, BVES will have severely limited transmission capacity — meaning some or all BVES customers across Big Bear Lake, Big Bear City, Fawnskin, Sugarloaf, and surrounding communities could lose power for the entire duration.

The cause: high winds and fire weather conditions forecast for the San Bernardino Mountains region. As Big Bear Lake sits within a CAL FIRE Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, SCE and BVES take these conditions seriously. This is not a drill, and the shutoff could happen with limited additional warning.

Here is what you need to do before noon Friday.

What Is a PSPS and Why Does It Affect Big Bear?

A Public Safety Power Shutoff is a proactive de-energization of electrical infrastructure during extreme fire weather — high winds, low humidity, dry vegetation — to eliminate power lines as a potential wildfire ignition source. California law authorizes utilities like SCE to implement PSPS events when forecasted conditions exceed established risk thresholds.

BVES's service territory is supplied by SCE transmission infrastructure. This is the dependency that makes Big Bear uniquely vulnerable: even when conditions in Big Bear itself may not warrant a shutoff, a PSPS on an upstream SCE transmission line cuts power to BVES customers regardless. It's the same dynamic we've written about in detail in our complete Big Bear generator guide — BVES has no control over SCE's transmission decisions, and Big Bear homeowners without backup power have no buffer when those decisions result in an outage.

BVES estimates that power restoration typically begins after wind conditions subside and takes approximately 8 hours — but delays occur when daylight is required for safe line inspection. A Friday afternoon shutoff that extends through Saturday could mean you're without power until Sunday.

What BVES Is Recommending Right Now

BVES has issued the following guidance for customers ahead of the potential shutoff:

Use surge protectors. When power is restored after a PSPS, voltage fluctuations and surges at restoration are common. Plug computers, televisions, and sensitive electronics into surge protectors before the shutoff window begins. A whole-home surge protective device — installed at your panel — is the permanent solution. See our guide on wildfire-safe electrical upgrades for Big Bear homes for what whole-home surge protection involves and what it costs.

Assemble or check your emergency kit. Flashlights, a battery-operated radio, non-perishable food, water, and a first aid kit. If you have family members with medical equipment that requires power, make alternative arrangements before Friday noon.

Keep your refrigerator and freezer closed. Food in a closed refrigerator stays safe for approximately four hours. A closed, full freezer maintains safe temperatures for up to 48 hours. Don't open them unnecessarily during the outage.

The Immediate Priority: Protect Against Surge at Restoration

The moment BVES restores power after a PSPS event is when the most electrical damage occurs. Restoration surges — voltage spikes that happen as transmission lines are re-energized and load is reconnected — can damage or destroy appliances, electronics, HVAC systems, and well pump motors that are plugged in and waiting for power to return.

If your Big Bear cabin or home does not have a whole-home surge protective device installed at your main panel, everything connected to your electrical system is exposed at restoration. Point-of-use power strips with surge protection help at individual devices, but they do not protect hardwired appliances, your HVAC system, your well pump, or your refrigerator.

A hardwired Type 1 or Type 2 surge protective device at the panel is the permanent solution. If you haven't had one installed yet, call Big Bear Electric Pros at (909) 415-5573 — we're local, already at elevation, and available.

If You Have a Generator: Run a Test Before Friday Noon

If your property has a standby generator, now is the time to confirm it's ready:

Check the propane tank level and confirm you have adequate fuel for a 36+ hour outage. Start the generator manually and run it under load for 10–15 minutes to verify it's operational. Confirm the automatic transfer switch is functioning — it should detect a simulated outage and transfer to generator power without manual intervention. Check the oil level if it's a unit that requires manual oil monitoring.

If your generator has been sitting unused since last winter and you're not confident it will start, call us before Friday. A generator that fails to start when BVES cuts power is the same as not having one.

If you don't have a standby generator and have been considering one, this event is the clearest possible argument for why Big Bear properties need them. Our complete generator installation guide covers sizing, fuel type, automatic transfer switches, and what installation costs in the Big Bear area.

Stay Informed Through the Shutoff Window

BVES will provide updates through the following channels during the June 26–28 concern window:

• BVES website: www.bvesinc.com
• BVES customer line: (800) 808-2837
• BVES Facebook page
• Voice and text message alerts to registered customers
• Local media

If you haven't registered your mobile number with BVES for outage alerts, do it now at bvesinc.com before Friday.

Big Bear Electric Pros Is Here — Before, During, and After

We're based in Big Bear Lake. When BVES power goes out, we're in the same situation you are — and when it comes back, we're already here to help assess any electrical damage, replace failed surge protection devices, inspect generator performance, or handle any electrical issue the event creates.

If this PSPS event prompts you to finally install a whole-home surge protector, schedule a generator installation, or have your electrical panel assessed for resilience ahead of fire season — we're the call to make.

📞 Call (909) 415-5573 for emergency service during the outage window or to schedule a post-event electrical assessment.

Big Bear Electric Pros | Licensed C-10 Electrical Contractor | 41659 Big Bear Blvd, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315 | Services provided by Current Electric | CA License C-10 #1120740