PG&E Warns 15 Northern California Counties of Likely Power Shutoffs as Wildfire Risk Rises
Updated
Updated · The Santa Rosa Press Democrat · May 16
PG&E Warns 15 Northern California Counties of Likely Power Shutoffs as Wildfire Risk Rises
5 articles · Updated · The Santa Rosa Press Democrat · May 16
PG&E said parts of 15 Northern California counties could lose power from May 17 to May 19, escalating a day-earlier forecast that had flagged fewer counties and described shutoffs as only possible.
A dry offshore wind event expected Sunday and Monday is driving the warning, with strong winds, low humidity and elevated fire danger prompting PG&E to activate its Emergency Operations Center.
Wind gusts in Sonoma and Napa counties could reach 25 to 35 mph in valleys and 40 to 50 mph in higher terrain, conditions that can raise the risk of power lines sparking fires.
PG&E said any shutoffs would be the utility's first public safety power shutoff event of 2026, though decisions will be made for localized areas rather than entire counties.
Early estimates showed 7 Sonoma County customers and 16 Napa County customers at risk, with specific addresses and outage maps typically released about two days before a planned outage.
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