Wildfires are no longer rare events - they’re becoming a devastating part of life in California. In January 2025, the Palisades Fire alone resulted in 30 fatalities, burned more than 60,800 acres, destroyed over 16,000 structures, and forced hundreds of thousands to evacuate.
So, how many people in Southern California were affected by wildfire-related power outages?
On January 8, the California Office of Emergency Services reported widespread outages impacting more than 4 million customers across Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, and San Diego counties.
Lessons Learned: The Palisades Fire
The Palisades Fire showed just how vulnerable our energy infrastructure can be. These events are a wake-up call, not just for emergency response, but for how we power our homes and communities. By investing in fireproofing, community preparedness, and solar-plus-storage systems, we can take proactive steps to protect ourselves from future disasters.
The lessons from these fires extend beyond the immediate aftermath. They highlight the critical role of energy resilience, fireproofing, and community preparedness in mitigating the risks posed by wildfires. By adopting proactive strategies, such as investing in solar energy systems with battery storage, homeowners can better protect their families and properties from future disasters.
These events underscore the urgent need for resilient energy solutions and proactive wildfire preparedness.
The Wildfire outlook for California through July 2025
In Northern California, March rains and lingering snowpack are keeping fire risk low through May, especially at higher elevations. But as we move into summer, warmer, drier conditions will raise the fire risk in lowland areas, especially in oak woodlands that don’t benefit from the coastal marine layer.
Meanwhile, Southern California is facing a tougher outlook. Persistent drought, especially across the South Coast and Colorado Desert, is combining with new vegetation growth from late rains. As those grasses and shrubs dry out, fire danger will rise—particularly in areas with dry timber and below-average rainfall.
Preparing for the Next Wildfire: What You Can Do
Here’s how you can start preparing now:
- Make an emergency plan – Know your evacuation routes and have a go-bag with essentials like water, food, meds, and chargers.
- Fireproof your space – Clear dry brush, use fire-resistant building materials, and keep gutters clean.
- Go solar with battery backup– A solar-plus-battery system gives you backup power during outages.
How Solar and Battery Can Help During Wildfires
Solar-plus-battery backup systems don’t just cut your energy bills, they keep your lights on when the grid goes down. During Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), they power essentials like fridges, medical devices, and Wi-Fi. They also help communities, and businesses like hospitals and fire stations, stay online in a crisis.
Build Your Energy Resilience
Ready to protect your home or business from wildfire-related outages? A solar-plus-battery system offers peace of mind, energy independence, and reliable backup when you need it most.
At Citadel Roofing & Solar, we specialize in custom solar solutions that keep you powered through anything. Let’s build your energy resilience, contact us today to learn more!
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