PG&E Weighs Power Cuts for 8,000 Customers as California Heat Drives 110-Degree Wildfire Risk
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 15
PG&E Weighs Power Cuts for 8,000 Customers as California Heat Drives 110-Degree Wildfire Risk
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 15
Summary
PG&E said it may shut off electricity to 8,000 customers across 10 California counties on Wednesday to reduce the chance that wind-damaged lines spark wildfires.
110-degree inland highs in Southern California, humidity as low as 10%, and gusts up to 55 mph prompted heat advisories and at least one red flag warning through early Thursday.
The danger zone stretches beyond the south: dried vegetation in the Central Valley, Bay Area and coastal mountains could let any new fire spread quickly.
The weather shift follows weeks of mild conditions, underscoring how a sudden heat spike can sharply raise both public-health risks and wildfire threats across the state.