PG&E Announces Red Flag Power Shut Downs

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Pacific Gas and Electric Company announced late Friday that they may shut off power to several thousand customers in the North Bay beginning early Saturday morning, in a precaution designed to prevent fire starts.

A weekend heat wave is forecast to begin at 6AM Saturday, with high winds expected to ramp up Saturday morning.

The shut down, if it comes, would affect customers in portions of the city of Napa and Lake Berryessa. Other shutdowns are being considered in portions of Solano County, Yolo County and the Sierra foothills.

Not dry northerly winds up to 45 miles per hour are forecast to increase in the hills of Northern California Saturday, as high pressure to the north develops.

PG&E says it is working with the California Office of Emergency Services and Cal Fire on planning, and the shutdowns are being considered due to forecasted Red Flag conditions of low humidity, high winds, and drying fuels like grass and brush.

The utility says it has already begun contacting customers in the affected areas, and may extend or change the power shutdowns as conditions warrant.

If power is shutdown, PG&E says it will inspect all affected lines before turning the power back on, a process that could take 24 to 48 hours.