PG&E Monday afternoon gave a 48-hour notice to approximately 209,000 customers in 15 counties in the Sierra Foothills, North Bay and Peninsula of a possible Public Safety Power Shutoff starting late Wednesday evening. Napa, Sonoma and San Mateo counties are included in the possible shutoff that is scheduled for varying times in response to a dry, offshore wind event, PG&E officials said.
The shutoff is intended to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire ignitions from its energized power lines that could fall during inclement weather. Customers were notified by text and automated phone calls Monday afternoon, and PG&E said an employee will knock on the doors of customers with medical issues who are enrolled in its Medical Baseline program.
PG&E officials said they will focus their efforts on those customers who need electricity for life-sustaining equipment.
The officials said its meteorological and operations teams’ models show wind gusts may exceed 55 mph late Wednesday evening through Thursday afternoon for portions of the Sierra Foothills. Winds between 35 and 45 mph with some 55 mph gusts in localized areas are forecast for Sonoma and Napa counties.
PG&E said the shutoff will affect 9,623 customers and 206 baseline customers in Napa County, 33,613 customers and 1,082 baseline customers in Sonoma County and 6,462 customers and 104 baseline customers in San Mateo County.
Learn more about which areas will be affected HERE.