The strong wind and extremely dangerous fire weather are causing power disruptions across Southern California. These conditions are predicted to continue through Thursday.

Public safety power shutoffs occur when power utilities purposefully turn off electricity to avert a fire. That's because some of our most destructive fires in recent years, like the Thomas Fire in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties in 2017, were started by power lines burning dry vegetation.

Of course, severe winds can cause unanticipated outages as fallen trees and other debris knock down power lines.

Here are some recommendations for preparing for a power loss, fire, or other calamity. It's vital to remember that being prepared for one form of calamity makes you much better prepared for others.

Almost any tragedy necessitates comparable preparation, and it is especially critical to plan for the specific demands you and your loved ones may have in these situations.

Keep a go-bag well equipped with medical and pet supplies in case you need to flee a fire or relocate to somewhere cooler or warmer. An emergency kit should comprise the following basic items:

• Food, including nonperishables, and a manual can opener.
• Tap water may not flow if you use an electric pump to transport it.
• Cash
• Flashlights and batteries
• Fire extinguishers
• Hand-crank the NOAA radio.
• Learn more about preparing a go-bag here and here.
• Make sure your car's petrol tank or battery is at least halfway full, and devise an escape strategy from your neighborhood.
• Learn how to open any electronic garage doors or gates manually.
• Identify and physically write down emergency numbers (fire, sheriff, police, hospital, doctor, family, neighbor, coworker).