PG&E Expands Planned Blackout to Nearly 1 Million Customers Amid Wildfire Fears
Pacific Gas and Electric cuts power to 940,000 customers in Northern and Central California to prevent wildfires during extreme wind conditions. The massive shutoff leaves over 2.5 million people without electricity as the region faces its most severe weather threat in recent memory.
Pacific Gas and Electric expands its power blackout zone to 940,000 customers across Northern and Central California as extreme weather forecasts threaten to increase the risk of wildfires. Projected wind gusts of up to 70 mph, combined with dry vegetation, create prime conditions for fire and pose a higher risk of damage and sparks on the electric system.
Over the course of two to three days, these shutoffs affect roughly 90,000 more customers than previous estimates and leave more than 2.5 million people in the dark. PG&E officials urge residents to charge essential devices and stock up on water and nonperishable foods as dry, hot, and windy conditions strike the region from Saturday evening through Monday afternoon.
This planned shutoff stands as the largest intended to prevent wildfires since PG&E started conducting public safety power shutoffs last year. National Weather Service meteorologists note that these severe winds not only have the potential to be stronger than those that fueled the deadly 2017 wildfires, but also last significantly longer, with dangerous wind speeds persisting for 24 to 30 hours.