PG&E Cuts Power to Nearly One Million Customers to Prevent Wildfires
Pacific Gas and Electric initiates a massive planned blackout affecting up to 2.7 million people in Northern California as extreme winds threaten to spark more wildfires. Governor Gavin Newsom declares a statewide emergency as massive blazes force hundreds of thousands to evacuate.
Pacific Gas and Electric cuts off electricity to 940,000 homes and businesses in Northern California to prevent its power lines from sparking new wildfires. This massive planned blackout leaves as many as 2.7 million people without power and stands as the largest intentional shutoff in the state's history. High winds, dry conditions, and hot temperatures prompt the utility to take this extreme precautionary measure from Saturday evening through Monday.
Governor Gavin Newsom declares a statewide emergency as fierce winds fuel existing blazes across the region. The Kincade Fire in Sonoma County burns through 30,000 acres and triggers the largest evacuation in the county's history, forcing 180,000 people from their homes. Hundreds of miles south, the Tick Fire destroys nine homes and forces 50,000 residents in Los Angeles County to flee.
The National Weather Service warns that this offshore wind event is among the most severe in recent memory, creating explosive fire conditions that make firefighting extremely dangerous. This weekend marks the second time this month that PG&E shuts off power to avoid disaster, as the company faces immense pressure over its role in previous fire tragedies. Meanwhile, PG&E stock plunges 30 percent as the utility struggles to manage the ongoing crisis.