San Diego Gas & Electric began restoring power Thursday to customers placed under a public safety power shutoff, allaying the worries of some in high fire-risk areas even as conditions are expected to remain critical through the end of the week.

With winds roaring as high as 80 miles an hour in places such as Palomar Mountain, SDG&E earlier this week initiated Public Safety Power Shutoffs that de-energize circuits in areas to help ensure that gusts don’t knock down power lines and possibly start a fire when they hit the ground.

San Diego Gas & Electric announced Thursday afternoon they will begin the process to restore power in certain communities following Tuesday’s scheduled power shutoff meant to reduce wildfire risk.

The dangerously high winds will strengthen and spread southward through San Diego County over the day Thursday, reaching their zenith overnight and into Friday morning.

Almost 9,000 San Diego Gas & Electric customers were reported to have their power shut off by midday Wednesday as the region remains under a Red Flag Warning due to Santa Ana winds.

Amid an already dry winter season, the first Santa Ana wind event of 2025 is elevating fire danger this week and threatening power shut-offs for thousands of San Diego Gas & Electric customers.