A combination of strong winds and dry conditions is heightening wildfire concerns across inland parts of the Bay Area, prompting Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG\&E) to shut off power to hundreds of customers as a precautionary measure.
Since Thursday, more than 100 customers have been left without electricity in regions that include eastern and southern Livermore, parts of Santa Clara County near Highway 152, and areas around Los Vaqueros Reservoir and Black Diamond Mines Regional Park in Contra Costa County. Power is expected to remain off in most affected zones until at least Saturday afternoon, following the peak of gusty conditions on Friday.
Winds have surged past 40 miles per hour in higher elevations, combining with low humidity to create a dangerous fire-weather setup. PG\&E said the increased wind activity, coupled with drying vegetation, has led to elevated wildfire risk throughout parts of the East Bay, the Sacramento Valley, and the Salinas Valley.
The National Weather Service has issued advisories for “elevated to near-critical fire weather” through Saturday in the interior East Bay, the eastern Santa Clara Hills, and the Gabilan Range, which spans portions of San Benito and Monterey counties. The concern stems from dry grasses and brush at elevations up to 4,000 feet, which are significantly more parched than usual for this time of year.
Recent brush fires have already underscored the risk. In Contra Costa County, a fast-moving blaze known as the Somersville Fire broke out Wednesday night, burning more than 350 acres near the areas currently impacted by outages. Firefighters were able to prevent it from reaching nearby homes, but the incident has amplified worries about similar wind-driven fires igniting in the coming days.
With fire season arriving early and conditions deteriorating, utility officials and weather experts are urging residents in vulnerable areas to stay alert and prepared. Power shutoffs, while disruptive, are part of a broader safety strategy to prevent electrical equipment from sparking fires during periods of extreme weather.
As the weekend approaches, authorities continue to monitor wind patterns and humidity levels closely, hoping for a break in conditions that could help lower the fire threat. For now, the message to residents in impacted regions is clear: stay vigilant, stay safe, and be ready.