PG&E warns of power shutoffs for 88,000 customers in California

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has expanded the number of customers who could lose power this week due to elevated fire conditions. About 88,000 PG&E customers across parts of 29 California counties now face possible power shutoffs, an increase from an earlier announcement that 70,000 customers could be impacted.

Shutoff Timeline and Weather Conditions

PG&E stated it plans to activate its Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) protocols from Wednesday through Saturday. The utility cited elevated fire danger caused by dry and gusty conditions and low humidity. The strongest winds are expected in the Sierra, Southern Central Coast, and parts of the North Bay and East Bay.

According to the weather team, the strongest winds are expected overnight and during the early morning hours. Northeasterly winds will begin strengthening in the Sierra Wednesday evening, with gusts reaching 45 mph overnight into Thursday morning. Another round of gusty winds is expected Thursday night into Friday morning. A Red Flag Warning will remain in effect through Friday morning due to the elevated fire danger.

Regional Expansions and Impacts

The potential shutoff area has expanded in several counties. In Tuolumne County, the number of potentially impacted customers rose from 1,783 to 7,248. In Calaveras County, the figure increased from 407 to 10,793, and in Mariposa County, it rose from 931 to 1,326.

New areas added in Tuolumne County include regions around Tuolumne, Twain Harte, Mi Wuk Village, Sierra Village, and Long Barn. In Calaveras County, additional areas include Avery, West Point, Wilseyville, and Railroad Flat. Mariposa County has additional areas around Yosemite Valley.

The outages could also impact 5,500 Medical Baseline customers and six tribal governments: Big Sandy Rancheria, Guidiville Rancheria, Mooretown Rancheria, North Fork Rancheria, Pit River Tribes, and Tuolumne Rancheria.

Community Resources and Safety Advice

PG&E has identified more than 40 community resource centers where customers can charge devices and access snacks, water, and Wi-Fi. In Tuolumne, Calaveras, and Mariposa counties, Community Resource Centers will be open at minimum from 8-10 pm at the Word of Life Fellowship Church in Mi Wuk Village and the West Point Community Hall.

PG&E said it tries to give customers at least two days notice to help them prepare. Paul Moreno, a spokesperson for PG&E, advised customers to "obtain dry ice to help keep their food and medicine cold, keep their electronic devices charged, and have generators on hand if needed."

Jacob Poganski of the El Dorado County Fire Protection District emphasized generator safety. "When generators are being used, that they’re used at least 20 feet away from any opening in the house, to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, and not to use any generators within the house or next to the house because of the fire danger that they could pose," Poganski said.

Why it matters

Public Safety Power Shutoffs are a last resort designed to prevent overhead power lines or equipment damaged by wind from sparking wildfires. The expansion of these shutoffs highlights the ongoing tension between wildfire prevention measures and the disruption to daily life for tens of thousands of residents. Local officials and residents have expressed concern about the impact on vulnerable populations, including those with medical needs, while utility companies maintain that the measures are necessary to prevent catastrophic fires during high-risk weather events.

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Sources

• kcra.com: MAP: PG&E may cut power across 29 California counties this week - KCRA
• mymotherlode.com: PSPS Potential Area Expanded In Tuolumne, Calaveras and Mariposa Counties - myMotherLode.com

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.