FROM MARTINEZ PATCH.

Fire Weather Watch: PG&E May Shut Off Power In 30 Counties
Parts of 30 Northern and Central California counties may be affected by a public safety power shutoff this week, PG&E says.
By Maggie Avants, Patch Staff
Oct 7, 2019 3:40 pm ET | Updated Oct 7, 2019 4:09 pm ET
PG&E is considering implementing a public safety power shutoff during fire-weather conditions forecast to hit Northern and Central California this week.


NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — PG&E may proactively turn off power in portions of 30 counties in Northern and Central California later this week when a potentially widespread, strong and dry wind event hits the region, the utility company said Monday in a news release.

The announcement comes as PG&E's meteorological and operations teams are monitoring a National Weather Service fire weather watch for vast portions of the Golden State.

"The National Interagency Fire Center's Geographic Area Coordination Center is also forecasting significant fire potential across Northern California beginning on Wednesday of this week," said Deanna Contreras, PG&E spokeswoman.

PG&E is considering implementing a Public Safety Power Shutoff that may impact portions of these 30 northern, central, coastal and Bay Area counties: Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lake, Mariposa, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tehama, Tuolumne, Yolo and Yuba.

The main period of weather risk is early Wednesday morning through Thursday midday, when the dry, windy weather pattern is expected to reach from the northern portions of PG&E's service territory and down through the Sacramento Valley before spreading into the central areas of the state including most of the Bay Area.

PG&E will continue to monitor weather conditions and will be providing additional information regarding affected area Monday afternoon, Contreras said.

Here's how PG&E customers can prepare for a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS):

    Update their contact information at pge.com/mywildfirealerts or by calling 1-866-743-6589 during normal business hours. PG&E will use this information to alert customers through automated calls, texts, and emails, when possible, prior to, and during, a Public Safety Power Shutoff.
    Plan for medical needs like medications that require refrigeration or devices that need power.
    Identify backup charging methods for phones and keep hard copies of emergency numbers.
    Build or restock your emergency kit with flashlights, fresh batteries, first aid supplies and cash.
    Review safety tips for backup generators if you plan to use one.
    Keep in mind family members who are elderly, younger children and pets. Information and tips including a safety plan checklist are available at pge.com/wildfiresafety.

"While customers in high fire-threat areas are more likely to be affected by a Public Safety Power Shutoff event, any of PG&E's more than 5 million electric customers could have their power shut off because the energy system relies on power lines working together to provide electricity across cities, counties and regions," Contreras said.