To Prevent Wildfires, PG&E Preemptively Cuts Power To Thousands In California

PG&E preemptively shut down power in multiple Northern California counties to try to prevent wildfires, such as this recent fire in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

By Merrit Kennedy

October 15, 2018

To try to stave off the type of wildfires that have scorched California, Pacific Gas and Electric Company says it is preemptively turning off power for about 87,000 customers in 12 counties.

These areas are forecast to have weather conditions conducive to fires, including low humidity and gusty winds of up to 60 mph.

The temporary shutdowns started Sunday evening, and the company said that most households will have power back on Monday night, with some outages possibly continuing into Tuesday.

It's an "unprecedented" move for the northern part of the state, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. And it comes just days after authorities with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection determined that last year's Cascade Fire in Yuba County, which burned nearly 10,000 acres and killed four people, was started by "sagging power lines coming into contact during heavy winds." Investigators said at least one of the lines was owned by PG&E.

"Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and the communities we serve," Pat Hogan, senior vice president of electric operations at PG&E, said in a statement. "We know how much our customers rely on electric service, and we have made the decision to turn off power as a last resort given the extreme fire danger conditions these communities are experiencing."

These are the communities impacted by the shutdown, according to the power provider:

Butte County (Berry Creek, Brush Creek, Clipper Mills, Feather Falls, Forbestown, Oroville)Sierra County (Alleghany, Downieville, Goodyears Bar, Pike City, Sierra City)Placer County (Alta, Applegate, Auburn, Baxter, Colfax, Dutch Flat, Emigrant Gap, Foresthill, Gold Run, Loomis, Meadow Vista, Weimar)Nevada County (Chicago Park, Grass Valley, Nevada City, North San Juan, Penn Valley, Rough and Ready, Soda Springs, Washington)El Dorado County (Aukum, Camino, Coloma, Cool, Diamond Springs, El Dorado, Fair Play, Garden Valley, Georgetown, Greenwood, Grizzly Flats, Kelsey, Kyburz, Mount Aukum, Omo Ranch, Pacific House, Placerville, Pollock Pines, Shingle Springs, Silver Fork, Somerset, Strawberry, Twin Bridges)Amador County (Fiddletown, Jackson, Pine Grove, Pioneer, Plymouth, Sutter Creek, Volcano)Plumas County (La Porte)Calaveras County (Glencoe, Mokelumne Hill, Mountain Ranch, Rail Road Flat, West Point, Wilseyville)Yuba County (Brownsville, Camptonville, Challenge, Dobbins, Marysville, Oregon House, Strawberry Valley)Lake County (Clearlake, Clearlake Oaks, Clearlake Park, Cobb, Finley, Hidden Valley Lake, Kelseyville, Lakeport, Lower Lake, Middletown)Napa County (Angwin, Calistoga, Deer Park, Lake Berryessa, Napa, Pope Valley, Saint Helena)Sonoma County (Cloverdale, Geyserville, Healdsburg, Santa Rosa)

The utility stated earlier this month that even though it took "numerous actions prior to the 2017 wildfires," hazardous weather conditions and continued destructive fires make it clear that "our state requires comprehensive new solutions."

"Extreme weather, years of drought, and millions of dead trees are feeding an unprecedented risk of wildfires," PG&E said at the time. "In light of this, we recognize we all need to do even more to help reduce the risk of wildfires, and are committed to working together with our state and community partners to develop comprehensive safety solutions for the future."

Not everybody was happy about PG&E's most recent actions. For example, 69-year-old Joan Sato of Lake County told the Chronicle that a machine she uses to treat sleep apnea would not function without power.

"I'm angry for sure because it's totally irresponsible to pull this stuff," Sato said. "I'm going to have to drive to a hotel and stay in a hotel where there is power, but, with no lights, it's not going to be a safe thing."

The newspaper reported that the power company had previously declined to switch off the power over fire concerns, "saying it poses its own risks and could leave police, firefighters and hospitals with no electricity during an emergency."

Other officials praised PG&E's move. "With so many fires pinpointed to electrical lines, when we have nights where winds are going to be 50 or 60 miles per hour, it makes sense to me," David Rabbitt, a Sonoma County supervisor, told the Chronicle.

Multiple schools were also closed Monday, The Sacramento Bee reported.