Thousands in San Diego wake up without power

Over 10,000 San Diego residents wake up without power for extreme fire danger Wednesday morning.

FOX 5 News in San Diego reports the San Diego Gas and Electric company began shutting down power to reduce the likelihood of faulty or damaged equipment sparking a wildfire.

Residents and businesses in communities including Alpine, Ramona, Julian, and Valley Center were without power.

Reports said the utility warned as many as 40,869 residents about losing electricity during the Red Flag period.

In Los Angeles this week, officials learned the destructive Getty Fire was caused by a tree branch falling on power lines. In Northern California, Pacific Gas & Electric has been held legally responsible for devastating wildfires, reports FOX 5.

The following communities could be affected:

Alpine Boulevard Campo Descanso Dulzura El Cajon (portions of) Encinitas (portions of) Escondido (portions of) Jacumba Jamul (portions of) Julian Lakeside (portions of) Mount Laguna Pala Palomar Mountain Pauma Valley Pine Valley Potrero Poway Ramona Ranchita Rancho Bernardo (portions of) Rancho Santa Fe (portions of) San Clemente (unincorporated area east of) San Juan Capistrano (unincorporated area east of) San Marcos (portions of) Santa Ysabel Valley Center (portions of) Warner Springs