PG&E shuts power to prevent wildfires
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The nation’s largest electric utility has temporarily shut off power to thousands of Northern California residents to prevent wildfires sparked by electrical equipment as the state braces for potentially strong winds and extreme fire weather conditions.
Pacific Gas & Electric shut off power Sunday to about 11,000 customers mostly in Butte County, said Angela Lombardi, a company spokeswoman. Another 54,000 customers could see power shut off later in the day due to hot, dry weather and high winds in the forecast, she said, adding residents in a total of 16 counties could be affected.
The shutoffs are only called
“as a last resort,” Lombardi said. “PG&E meteorologists are continually evaluating and monitoring the weather.”
The shutoffs come as fire-weary California prepared for a new siege of hot, dry weather with potentially strong winds that could cause power lines to arc and spark new blazes in parched vegetation that’s ready to burn.
Red Flag warnings for extreme fire weather conditions were issued for the northern and central areas of the state from late Saturday to Monday, the National Weather Service said.
A new wildfire broke out Sunday in Napa County, prompting the evacuation of residents before dawn. The swift-moving fire is near several wineries and has burned 1.6 square miles, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
Amy Bordeau, of Calistoga, told the paper she woke up to fire alerts and social media messages from worried friends and grabbed the same bag she recently used when evacuating from another fire.
“It’s a bit traumatizing,” she said. “I feel like I’m constantly fight or flight.”