PG&E Shuts Power for 13,000 Amid Fire Risks

Amid heightened fire risks from strong 'diablo winds', PG&E has shut off power to approximately 13,000 customers in Northern California, affecting 12 counties including Alameda, Napa, and Sonoma. Forecasts predict these winds, which can reach gusts of up to 70 mph, will persist through the weekend, prompting red flag warnings from the National Weather Service. These preemptive shutoffs, known as Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), aim to prevent wildfires by stopping power transmission through vulnerable lines during extreme weather conditions. Despite these measures, some residents express frustration, citing inadequate communication and challenges, particularly for those with medical needs. PG&E CEO Patti Poppe highlighted ongoing efforts to reduce the impact of these outages by installing more sectionalizing devices and burying power lines in high-risk areas. Weather conditions are expected to moderate by next week as onshore flow returns, alleviating some of the fire weather concerns.