PGE Is Poised to Turn Power Off in 12 Counties (Fires + Winds)

Many A's fans & their Loved ones may live in these counties:

https://patch.com/california/pleasanton/wildfire-danger-has-pg-e-poised-turn-power-12-counties

Officials in Alameda, Napa, Sonoma and nine other counties are preparing for possible Pacific Gas and Electric power shutoffs in the wake of high fire danger warnings. A news release Saturday said PG&E is prepared to turn off electricity in all or parts of 12 Northern California counties as early as Saturday night into Sunday morning, and also Sunday night into Monday morning.

High wind warnings are in effect in the Bay Area beginning at midnight and running into Monday morning. High winds raise the fire danger substantially in areas where vegetation is already painfully dry.

The greater likelihood is potentially turning off the power in advance of windy weather Sunday night, and PG&E and county officials are contacting customers directly and providing early warning notification, when
and where possible, via automated calls, texts, and emails.

In June, Cal Fire announced that the utility's "electric power and distribution lines, conductors and the failure of power poles", caused at least a dozen wildfires in six Northern California counties. Power shutoffs such as those proposed by PG&E now are done strictly as a last resort during extreme weather conditions, the utility's
statement Saturday said.

"The safety of our customers and the communities we serve is PG&E's top priority. We know how much our customers rely on electric service and would only consider temporarily turning off power in the interest of
safety, and as a last resort during extreme weather conditions," said Kevin Dasso, PG&E's vice president of electric asset management, in a statement. "PG&E has a plan. We want our customers to have plans, too.

In Sonoma County, "We put the wheels in motion immediately and are working diligently to prepare for any potential PG&E power shut downs," said County Supervisor James Gore. "This would be the first event of its kind in Sonoma County and we are ready for the challenges it may bring."

Sonoma County's Emergency Management Division has developed an Electrical System De-energization Response Plan and put it into motion given PG&E's plan, said Gore, who emphasized the county has no control over whether the power is actually turned off.

See Also:

• Red Flag Warning For East Bay Hills, North Bay And Diablo Range

By Bay City News