Tens of thousands of California residents could be left without power this weekend as PG&E considers preventive outages aimed at reducing wildfire risks posed by strong winds sweeping across parts of the state.
The utility said Thursday that approximately 12,200 customers in 17 counties across Central and Northern California could lose electricity from Friday, Oct. 9, through Monday, Oct. 12. Gusty winds and low humidity are expected to create conditions that could help fires spread.
PG&E has alerted customers in the potentially affected areas about the possible Public Safety Power Shutoffs, or PSPS events. The outages are designed to lower the chance that electrical equipment could ignite a wildfire.
“With a forecast for gusty winds, low humidity and elevated fire danger, PG&E has initiated advanced customer notifications in targeted areas where Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) may be necessary to reduce wildfire risk,” the utility said in its notice.
“Weather forecasts call for strong westerly winds with gusts between 30 and 45 mph Saturday with peak winds of 55 mph across portions of the Northern Sierra, followed by north winds Sunday in the Sacramento Valley area.”
Potential outages could affect customers in Napa, Yolo, Tehama, Solano, Shasta, San Luis Obispo, Fresno, Kings, Merced, Kern, San Joaquin, Alameda and San Benito counties.
RELATED: South Carolina Trainer’s Cause of Death Released; Husband Defended
PG&E said it does not make the decision to shut off power lightly. Because some communities are still facing high temperatures, the utility said it is coordinating with local officials to provide additional resources.
The National Weather Service in Sacramento also cautioned Thursday that north winds of 25 to 35 mph, combined with low humidity, could produce what it described as “potential elevated fire conditions.”
In the San Joaquin Valley, northwest winds could reach gusts of up to 15 mph by Sunday night, according to the NWS.
The most powerful gusts are forecast for Saturday in parts of the Northern Sierra, where winds could range from 35 to 55 mph, KRCR reported.
PG&E said it will continue tracking weather conditions and update customers as forecasts develop.
Cooler weather is expected to arrive in the Central Valley and Northern California by early next week. A shift in pressure could finally bring relief to communities that have endured triple-digit temperatures.
