Pacific Gas and Electric has warned at least 16,000 California customers that they may soon shut off power amid the state’s ongoing wildfires, high winds, and heat waves.
This latest warning comes after PG&E has already temporarily shut off power to thousands of homes earlier this summer.
Shutting Off Power in California
This latest announcement from PG&E came on Friday afternoon. The power company may begin a Public Safety Power Shutoff event on Saturday and Sunday.
These power shut-offs could occur as early as 11 a.m. on Saturday, and then go on into Sunday. PG&E has stated that this is an ongoing assessment that could change.
Why PG&E Is Shutting Off Power
According to the California electric company, they are considering shutting off power to thousands of Golden State residents because of high winds seen throughout certain areas of the state.
These high winds, paired with dry conditions, could cause power lines to become damaged — and this could lead to another fire seen in the state.
A Hot and Dry Weekend
This weekend, parts of California are going to see yet another heat wave. This hot weather is also going to be paired with low humidity and dry vegetation.
Add high winds to the mix and you have a potential recipe for disaster. As a result, PG&E may have to shut off power to thousands.
Customers Who May Be Affected
According to PG&E’s constantly changing outage map, those in San Joaquin County will mostly be affected, as more than 6,300 customers in this region have been notified about this potential power outage.
Almost 5,000 residents in Stanislaus County may also be impacted, as well as 4,000 customers in Merced County. Other areas may also be affected.
How Long Will This Outage Last?
So far, PG&E has stated that these outages may last from Saturday afternoon into Sunday afternoon. However, this could change.
Different areas may see different power outages, as well. For example, some counties may indeed have their power cut, while others may not.
Tracking Weather Conditions
PG&E explained why they may need to cut power to thousands. The company also detailed how its meteorologists are tracking current weather conditions.
The company said, “Meteorology is tracking [the] potential for stronger than normal westerly winds to develop Saturday afternoon and evening through coastal gaps and passes and over terrain adjacent to the west Central Valley such as the Altamont Pass and San Luis Reservoir area.”
Dangerous Wind Gusts
The company also detailed the dangerous wind gusts that could spark fires if they hit PG&E’s equipment.
“High-resolution models show potential wind gusts in localized areas near 50 mph. There may be a few critical hours Saturday afternoon with gusty winds and low relative humidity before humidity recovers during the evening and overnight Saturday into Sunday,” PG&E stated.
Yet Another Power Shutoff
This latest warning from PG&E comes after the electric company revealed earlier this summer that they would have to cut power to thousands in California because of high winds.
This event also occurred when many parts of California were being hit by a brutal heat wave, which only caused ongoing wildfires to rampage through forests and land.
Another Heat Wave
This weekend, California is going through another heat wave, which is again paired with ongoing wildfires seen in different parts of the Golden State.
Obviously, many Californians aren’t too thrilled about having their power and air conditioning cut during days when they’re experiencing excessive heat.
A Difficult Summer in California
In Northern California, this weekend is set to bring triple-digit temperatures, fueling more excessive heat warnings.
Meanwhile, Southern California is having to deal with possible dry thunderstorms as they also face yet another brutal heat wave. These dry thunderstorms could lead to more wildfires.
Californians Asked to Stay Indoors
This difficult summer in California has caused officials to ask residents to avoid the outdoors and instead stay inside.
The National Weather Service in various areas of the state, such as in Los Angeles and San Diego, has warned of excessive heat — and asked people to stay indoors, if they can. This alert has affected millions of people and will be ongoing until at least next week.
