As dry conditions and strong winds sweep across Northern and Central California, PG&E has begun shutting off power to select areas in an effort to prevent wildfires. These planned outages, known as Public Safety Power Shutoffs, started Thursday and are expected to last through the weekend.
With wind gusts predicted to reach up to 60 miles per hour in parts of the Eastern Bay Area and up to 45 miles per hour in regions like the northwest Sacramento Valley and Salinas Valley foothills, the risk of wildfires has become a top concern. Vegetation across the region is already unusually dry for this time of year, making conditions even more hazardous.
For many residents, the shutoffs are more than just an inconvenience. In some neighborhoods, like the area between Tracy and Mountain House, electricity powers the main water pump. When the power goes out, so does access to water, leaving families without showers, running taps, or even the ability to keep food cold.
PG&E has emphasized that not every affected customer will be without power for the entire four-day window. The utility company says these measures are being taken out of an abundance of caution, even though it’s early in the season for such severe winds.
Counties facing possible outages include Alameda, Colusa, Contra Costa, Fresno, Glenn, Merced, Monterey, Napa, San Benito, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Shasta, Stanislaus, Tehama, and Trinity. The number of customers impacted in each county ranges from a few dozen to several thousand.
As the weekend approaches, residents are urged to prepare for possible outages, conserve water where possible, and stay informed about local conditions. With the wildfire season starting earlier and growing more intense each year, these proactive steps are becoming a new normal for many communities across California.