California wildfire threat spurs utility PG&E to cut power to 89,000 customers

Tens of thousands of residents in Northern California will have their power temporarily shut off starting Sunday as the state's largest utility tries to prevent wildfires from being sparked by electrical equipment.

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) said Saturday that a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) will begin early Sunday morning and impact 15,000 customers in the first phase. A second phase will begin by Sunday afternoon and impact an additional 74,000 customers.

"This PSPS event is based on forecasts of widespread, severely dry conditions and strong, gusty winds," the utility said. "These conditions are expected to continue through Monday morning in most locations."

The power shutoff will impact 89,000 customers overall in portions of 16 counties, according to PG&E.

"Two customers within Sonoma County and 15 customers in Kern County are also expected to be included in the scope of this PSPS," the utility said.

The customers are expected to get power back on Monday night, the company said.

Pacific Gas & Electric said that during the shutoffs employees will check power lines for any damage. The company has opened 28 outdoor, open-air community resource centers to help customers who lost power.

The shutoffs come as fire-weary California is facing a new stretch of hot, dry weather with potentially strong winds that could cause power lines to arc and spark new blazes in parched vegetation that’s ready to burn.... (Read more)

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