PG&E is considering power shutdown in area

Red flag warning for potential shutdown that would run through Friday issued for Butte, Glenn, Tehama counties.

CHICO » The potential for a public safety power shutdown has been announced by PG&E for Butte, Glenn and Tehama counties for Wednesday through Friday.

The National Weather Service has issued a Red FlagWarning forWednesdaymorning, followed by a watch for late Wednesday through Friday.

PG&E schedules public safety power shutdowns if weather forecasts include gusty winds and dry conditions, combined with a heightened fire risk.

In an announcement Monday, PG& E indicated portions of 19 counties and two tribal communities could face another shutdown.

Roughly, 50,000 customersmay be affected, according to a press release, including 11,243 customers in Butte County, 377 in Glenn County, and 7,421 in Tehama County.

The National Weather Service forecast indicated sustained winds in the 1020 mph range for Tuesday into earlyWednesday, with gusts as high as 30 mph. StartingWednesday night, the weather service foresees winds from the north in the 15-25 mph range, with gusts as high as 45 mph.

After the high- risk weather passes, PG& E will inspect the de- energized lines for damage and then restore power as it can. The goal, according to PG&E, is to restore power to customerswithin 12 daylight hours.

Customers in the company’s medical baseline program who don’t verify they’ve received the notice will be visited by a PG&E employee who will knock on their door.

PG& E indicated that state officials have classified more than half of PG& E’s 70,000 square mile service area in northern and central California as having a high-fire threat, with the amount of dry grasses, and dead and dying trees, along with weather conditions.