SCE: Outages in Yucca Mesa and Pioneertown a “combination of factors,” says to be prepared for more

Jef Harmatz Jef Harmatz Send an email June 23, 2026

Power outages have become a regular occurrence in the Yucca Mesa and Pioneertown areas. Southern California Edison (SCE) customers have reported several blackouts in June, with many occurring in the morning hours around noon. 

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One Pioneertown resident told Z107.7 News that power outages have happened once a week over the last three months, and recently the frequency has increased to twice a week. Customers also report that the power was out three days in a row, starting on Friday (June 19), going out again on Saturday (June 20) and one more time on Sunday (June 21). Affected customers described the situation as a “local emergency” and have been sharing their frustrations on social media. 

“Some of the causes have not been definitively determined”

Z107.7 contacted SCE representative Scott Johnson, who said that he had been made aware of the outages by customers. Johnson says “there have been a number of unplanned outages over the past few weeks at varying times, largely because these outages have not been driven by a single recurring issue or equipment failure, but rather a combination of factors. Factors have included intermittent contact with electrical equipment from debris, vegetation or animals, while some of the causes have not been definitively determined.”

Johnson says that they are trying to reduce the number of outages on the power grid in the Pioneertown and Yucca Mesa areas, with mitigation efforts beginning last week and continuing through the weekend. He said that field crews and SCE’s planning and engineering departments are trying to implement “immediate solutions to improve the reliability.”

Johnson said that some outages may still occur, and they encourage residents to have an emergency preparedness kit, which should include flashlights, batteries, and first aid supplies, along with an available supply of water.

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SCE urges preparation for more outages

On Monday (June 23), many SCE customers in the Morongo Basin received a mass email from the power utility warning of  Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). The email said  “Severe weather events continue to increase wildfire risk across the region. When fire weather conditions put our communities at risk, we may need to temporarily shut off power through a PSPS. This important safety tool helps reduce the risk of fires caused by utility equipment. This year, PSPS could occur earlier, last longer and be more extensive.” 

The email included a link to an SCE website called Wildfire Communications, providing general information about PSPS alerts and how customers can prepare for outages.

Town Hall with SCE this Wednesday (6/24)

Twentynine Palms Councilwoman April Ramirez announced a Community Town Hall with SCE this Wednesday at 6:00 P.M.

You can see it on Facebook here, and see the flyer below:

Jef Harmatz Jef Harmatz Send an email June 23, 2026
Jef Harmatz

Jef Harmatz

Jef Harmatz is the co-host of Z107.7’s “Morning Show with Cody and Jef” and Z107.7’s News Director. He has worked as a journalist, cartoonist, chef, and delivery driver. He is known nationally for his writing and comics in publications like TimeOut, Popula, Roadtrippers, Solrad and Spiralbound, and for his album covers for Third Eye Blind and Sir Sly. He is known locally for his pop-up barbecue restaurant Hot Dog Panic. He remains unknown in the field of beekeeping, because he is too afraid of being stung to try it. When not on the radio, he draws comics and self-publishes little books. He lives with his partner and his dog Sunday in Yucca Valley, where he cooks them both elaborate meals.