PG&E Notifies Nearly 6000 Customers of Potential Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS)
FRESNO — PG&E meteorologists are monitoring a weather system that could bring northerly winds to portions of Northern and Central California beginning Saturday morning (Oct. 22) and lasting into Monday.
Due to this northerly wind event, combined with extreme to exceptional drought and extremely dry vegetation, PG&E sent advanced notifications to about 5,800 customers in targeted portions of 13 counties and two tribal communities where PG&E may need to implement a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) to reduce the risk of wildfire from energized powerlines. In several of these counties, fewer than 100 customers are expected to be impacted.
In unincorporated areas of Fresno County, 92 customers may potentially be affected If a PSPS is implemented. No customers in Tulare, Madera, Merced, or Mariposa are forecast to be affected.
Despite the potential for rain in some areas this weekend, PG&E is notifying customers that a PSPS may be necessary if rain does not materialize or if forecasted wind speeds still pose a wildfire risk. The potential shutoffs could begin Saturday morning in portions of the North Sacramento Valley.
Potential shutoffs for the San Joaquin Valley, other portions of the Sacramento Valley, North Bay as well as Kern County could begin Sunday, depending on the timing of the wind event.
Because this is a fluid situation, and it’s still early, the best way to get the latest information is on our forecast here:
https://pgealerts.alerts.pge.com/updates/7day/
PG&E’s Emergency Operations Center and Meteorology team continuously monitor the weather forecast and conditions.
We know that losing power disrupts lives, especially if you rely on power for medical devices or medications. That is why PSPS is a tool of last resort, with the sole purpose of keeping customers safe.
Customers can use an online address lookup tool to find out whether they are impacted by the ongoing PSPS, as well as to obtain live updates regarding the status of the event at www.pge.com/pspsupdates.
