Tens of thousands of residents in Northern California will have their power temporarily shut off starting Sunday as the state’s largest utility tries to prevent wildfires from being sparked by electrical equipment.
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) said Saturday that a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) will begin early Sunday morning and impact 15,000 customers in the first phase. A second phase will begin by Sunday afternoon and impact an additional 74,000 customers.
“This PSPS event is based on forecasts of widespread, severely dry conditions and strong, gusty winds,” the utility said. “These conditions are expected to continue through Monday morning in most locations.”
CALIFORNIA UTILITY USING ‘SMARTER, SHORTER’ TACTIC FOR BLACKOUTS TO PREVENT WILDFIRES
The power shutoff will impact 89,000 customers overall in portions of 16 counties, according to PG&E.
Areas impacted include Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, El Dorado, Lake, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Tehama and Yuba counties.
“Two customers within Sonoma County and 15 customers in Kern County are also expected to be included in the scope of this PSPS,” the utility said…
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