PG&E warns of possible power cut to 22 counties and 25,000 customers from Monday in California

SAN FRANCISCO – Pacific Gas & Electric has said it could cut power to about 25,000 customers in 22 counties across California as of Monday due to potentially dry and gusty winds that could increase the risk of electrical equipment triggering fires.

The scope has been reduced from the 44,000 customers in 32 counties initially announced on Saturday. This potential PSPS event is expected to focus in the Northern Sierra Foothills, North Bay and North Coast regions with minimal impact on customers in the Bay Area and Central Valley.

The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning of extreme fire danger starting Sunday evening, as offshore winds are expected to develop in parts of northern and central California. The warning extends until late Tuesday and the strongest winds are expected Monday.
High winds, combined with dry vegetation caused by drought, could increase the risk of trees falling on power lines and starting a forest fire, PG&E said.

The utility began intentionally cutting power in the fall of 2019 to prevent wildfires after an investigation determined that the campfire that destroyed most of the town of Paradise was started by his equipment. The company filed for bankruptcy and pleaded guilty to 84 counts of manslaughter related to the 2018 fire.

He also faces multiple criminal charges for fires caused by his unraveling equipment, including manslaughter charges filed last month in connection with a wildfire near the town of Redding last year that killed four people.

Here is a list of counties that could be impacted by PG&E:

The closure is expected to potentially affect around 25,000 customers in these counties:

Alameda: 134 clients, 10 Medical Baseline clients
Butte: 1,342 clients, 98 Medical Baseline clients
Coluse: 566 clients, 39 Medical Baseline clients
Against the coast: 597 clients, 40 Medical Baseline clients
Fresno: 189 clients, 6 Medical Baseline clients
Glenn: 376 clients, 22 Medical Baseline clients
Kern: 633 clients, 34 Medical Baseline clients
kings: 10 clients, 0 Medical Baseline clients
Lake: 4,008 clients, 304 Medical Baseline clients
Merced: 14 clients, 0 Medical Baseline clients
Monterey: 854 clients, 27 Medical Baseline clients
Napa: 2,428 clients, 113 Medical Baseline clients
Pens: 309 clients, 4 Medical Baseline clients
San Benito: 84 clients, 2 Medical Baseline clients
Bishop of San Luis: 223 clients, 4 Medical Baseline clients
Santa barbara: 27 clients, 2 Medical Baseline clients
Shasta: 2,336 clients, 172 Medical Baseline clients
Solano: 4,561 clients, 423 Medical Baseline clients
Sonoma: 87 clients, 1 Medical Baseline client
Stanislas: 30 clients, 0 Medical Baseline clients
Tehama: 5,342 clients, 498 Medical Baseline clients
Yolo: 515 clients, 16 Medical Baseline clients

Potentially affected tribal areas:

Cortina Rancheria: 8 clients, 1 Medical Baseline client
Stone grindstone rancheria: 50 clients, 4 Medical Baseline clients
Middletown Rancheria: 34 clients, 1 Medical Baseline client
Mooretown Rancheria: 1 client, 0 Medical Baseline client
Pit River Tribes: 8 clients, 0 Medical Baseline clients

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The AP contributed to this report