lectric vehicle owners are caught in confusion as conflicting reports of energy conservation requests and wildfire evacuation warnings sweep California.
Newsweek reported last week that much of southern California remains under an excessive heat warning, with the state's grid operator warning high temperatures could lead to blackouts. A prolonged heat wave has temperatures expected to reach as high as 115 degrees Fahrenheit in some parts, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Concurrently, wildfires threaten various parts of the state. Evacuation warnings are in place for several cities.
Cal Fire Battalion Chief Issac Sanchez urges electric vehicle owners to not risk their lives and prioritize charging their EVs before opting to conserve energy.
"We recommend cars are fully charged and ready to go. If that's your means of evacuation and if you don't do it, you are unable to evacuate, life safety is a priority. At least it is to us," Sanchez told Newsweek. "Our priority is always to err on the side of life safety."
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Sanchez said there are wildfire evacuation warnings in many California municipalities threatened by the fires. East of Los Angeles near Hemet, California, the Fairview Fire prompted the evacuation of up 1,500 homes. Despite those efforts, two people have been killed by the fires.The Fairview Fire burns above lights from first responder vehicles on September 5 near Hemet, California. The 2,000 acre brush fire left two dead and destroyed several homes amid an intense heat wave in Southern California. The National Weather Service issued an Excessive Heat Warning for much of Southern California through September 8.PHOTO BY MARIO TAMA/GETTY IMAGES
Newsweek reported that Riverside County Fire Department (RCFD) first announced the Fairview Fire at 3:37 p.m. on Monday when it was burning across "20 acres of light to medium vegetation at a rapid rate."
The fire grew quickly, first to 500, then 2,000 acres by the evening, according to emergency responders.
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Independent Journal Review reported August 31 that California officials were warning electric vehicles against charging their cars, as it puts a strain on the electric grid. The report showed northern California could see weather at 10 to 12 degrees above average and southern California could see temps exceeding 12 to 18 degrees above normal. Residents are asked to voluntarily conserve energy through Flex alerts, with the biggest need for energy conservation between 4 and 9 p.m. when the system is the most stressed.
However, Sanchez implied residents should ignore those alerts or charge their EV ahead of time if they are in an area near a wildfire, especially if their means of transportation is an electric vehicle.
"If you are unable to evacuate because your vehicle is not charged, that puts life in jeopardy," Sanchez said.