PG&E will begin to shut off power Wednesday to about 150,000 customers across 18 Northern California counties, the utility announced Tuesday evening.
Officials said a forecast of strong offshore wind early Wednesday morning and dry conditions led PG&E to decide to shut off power in the Sierra Foothills, the North Valley and North Bay. Customers who will be impacted in those regions were notified Monday morning.
The shutoffs will begin between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. Wednesday and will continue in phases throughout the day until 4 p.m. PG&E said its goal would be to return power to customers by the end of the day Thursday.
The power shutoffs will include portions of the following counties: Amador, Butte, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Solano, Sonoma, Tehama, Yolo and Yuba.
(Can’t see the map below? Tap here to see it)
The shutoffs are part of PG&E’s Public Safety Power Shutoff program, which is designed to reduce the threat of wildfires that could be sparked by lines brought down in gusting winds. PG&E’s equipment has been blamed for causing a series of destructive wildfires in recent years.
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The utility will open 35 community resource centers across impacted counties. You can see the list of centers here.
PG&E’s power shutoffs have drawn ire from residents, businesses and local governments. Gov. Gavin Newsom has threatened a possible state takeover of the troubled utility.
Customers can watch for updates here.
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