More than 11,000 PG&E customers in the Bay Area could see dayslong power outages starting Wednesday as part of the utility’s proactive shutoffs to avoid its equipment from sparking wildfires.
PG&E implements what it calls Public Safety Power Shutoffs when there is a forecast of dry and windy weather that poses a high wildfire risk, and is shutting off power to about 88,000 customers across 29 counties for a period that could last from Wednesday evening through Saturday afternoon.
In the Bay Area, that includes 4,705 customers in Alameda County, 1,605 in Contra Costa County, 3,027 in Napa County, 30 in Solano County, and 2,041 in Sonoma County. PG&E’s outage map website shows areas affected will include the Berkeley and Oakland hills, the Tri-Valley part of the East Bay, locations near Mount Diablo, and higher elevation areas north of Santa Rosa and Napa.
PG&E spokesperson Tamar Sarkissian said customers started receiving notifications on Monday about the potential shutoff. People can visit pge.com/pspsupdates to find out if their location may be affected by the power shutoffs.
The utility is planning to open more than 40 community resource centers in affected areas that will offer restrooms, device charging, Wi-Fi, bottled water and snacks, and other supplies. A list of the centers by county can be found at https://pgealerts.alerts.pge.com/ways-we-can-help/#crc-table.
PG&E is also encouraging customers who may need additional support to contact 211, including those who rely on power for medical needs or who have a disability.
National Weather Service forecasters say higher elevations in the North Bay will have particularly dry and windy weather starting Thursday that poses elevated risks of wildfires. High temperatures are expected to peak in the Bay Area on Friday, with highs in the 80s and 90s, before cooling off this weekend and early next week.
