Potential power shutoff possible Friday for west end of Big Bear Valley

Bear Valley Electric Service (BVES) has announced a potential Public Safety Power Shutoff for Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, because of high winds and fire danger affecting the west end of the Valley.^[1] The period of concern runs from noon to 6 p.m., and BVES says no outage is scheduled at this time.^[1] The issue matters for west-side households and businesses because, if BVES does cut power, they could lose electricity on short notice during the afternoon, and a separate planned outage is also set for later Friday night.^[1]

Who could be affected

If BVES shuts off power, the outage would hit customers on the west side of Big Bear, from Metcalf Bay to Big Bear Dam on the South Shore, and from Fawnskin to the Big Bear Dam on the North Shore.^[1] Customers outside those areas are not named in the announcement.

BVES says that if it does institute an outage, it "will do their best to minimize impact and redistribute load so that it impacts as few customers as possible."^[1] In plain terms, that means the utility would try to reroute power so fewer customers lose service than the full area described above.

Where to go if the power goes out

If power is shut off, BVES says it will open its Community Resource Center for affected customers through 10 p.m. during the impact.^[1] The center is at BVES headquarters, 42020 Garstin Drive in Big Bear Lake. Customers will have access to a charging station for cell phones and devices, and snacks will be available.^[1]

A different outage tonight

Friday's potential shutoff is separate from a planned Southern California Edison outage that begins tonight between 11:30 p.m. and 7 a.m. Saturday. BVES stressed that the potential PSPS "is not associated with" that planned outage.^[1] According to the announcement, the planned SCE outage is still in effect and will affect certain customers, but it does not clearly say when those customers will lose power. The source also does not say which neighborhoods the SCE work covers.

Why this one is different

BVES noted that because this PSPS period of concern is being announced by BVES, rather than instituted externally by Southern California Edison, it expects to be better able to share information if a shutoff becomes necessary.^[1]

The announcement does not say how much advance warning customers would get if BVES decides to cut power, and it does not include comment from SCE or the National Weather Service on wind conditions. It also does not address residents who rely on medical equipment that needs electricity.

Customers on the west end can watch for further word from BVES during the noon-to-6 p.m. window. If power is cut, the Community Resource Center at 42020 Garstin Drive will stay open through 10 p.m.^[1]