Roughly 90,000 homes in SoCal could lose power as heatwave elevates wildfire danger

LOS ANGELES - Thousands of Southern California residents could lose power as a heatwave sweeps the Southland, heightening the threat of wildfires. 

The abnormally high temperatures on Tuesday prompted the U.S. Forest Service to raise the danger level in the Angeles National Forest to "very high" because of an elevated danger of wildfire.

"With annual grasses cured, temperatures rising, relative humidity dropping and fire activity across the state increasing, fire management officials have decided to raise the fire danger level,'' according to a U.S Forest Service statement. "Elevating the fire danger enhances public awareness that wildfire probability increases as temperatures rise and brush dries out.''

The fire threat may cause utility companies to cut power to try to prevent wildfires amid the windy, dry and hot conditions.

East and west of Los Angeles, nearly 90,000 Southern California Edison customers were advised they could be blacked out, but no Red Flag warnings were issued.

Strong winds, low humidity and warm temperatures were forecast in the state through Wednesday, and authorities issued an extreme fire danger warning for some areas.

California regulators in May approved allowing utilities to cut off electricity to avoid catastrophic wildfires but said utilities must do a better job ramping up preventive efforts and educating and notifying the public, particularly people with disabilities and others who are vulnerable.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. CNS contributed to this report.