PG and Electric warns of possible power shutoffs in Butte
PG&E warned Butte County customers of potential power shutoffs starting Thursday, as gusty winds and dry conditions elevate regional wildfire risks.
Butte County faces potential safety outages as dry conditions raise wildfire threats. Utility officials warned about 30,000 customers that electricity might be proactively shut off this week. This notice marks the second alert in the last week.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company said Monday night it is monitoring an offshore wind event. That weather pattern begins Wednesday. High wind gusts and dry weather elevate the danger of wildfires sparked by equipment.
The utility company said it may cut electricity for safety reasons. Doing so reduces the risk of fires caused by power lines. The utility shared these details in a news release.
The action could impact 22 counties across the region. Roughly 2,000 members of the Medical Baseline program are on that list. Two tribal governments are also included: Mooretown Rancheria and the Pit River Tribes.
Around 3,000 customers endured a power cut last weekend. Those same households may face another disruption. Butte County and San Luis Obispo County have the highest numbers of affected users.
Outages are not yet certain. PG&E said electricity could be cut early Thursday morning. The event could last through Saturday.
Many customers may encounter their first outage since the Public Safety Power Shutoff program began in 2018. The company said it is conducting additional outreach to explain the process. Forecasts show the strongest winds in the Sierras, the southern central coast and the North and East Bay.
The potential shutoffs could also reach other counties:
- Alpine
- Amador
- Calaveras
- El Dorado
- Kern
- Lake
- Mendocino
- Napa
- Nevada
- Placer
- Plumas
- Shasta
- Sierra
- Solano
- Sonoma
- Tehama
- Tuolumne
- Yolo
- Yuba
A Public Safety Power Shutoff is an operational tool used by energy companies during severe weather. Crews turn off lines in high-risk zones until high winds pass. Workers then inspect lines before restoring power.
Officials continue to track local conditions in Butte County ahead of the wind event. Further updates will depend on changing forecasts.
