PG&E Implements Power Shutoffs to Help Reduce Wildfire Risk During Wind Event

UPDATE: 4 p.m., Thursday, July 16

PG&E has restored power to essentially all customers impacted by this week’s Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) event and continues to complete final restoration activities.

The PSPS was implemented as an additional layer of safety protection during a period of elevated wildfire risk. Throughout the event, PG&E’s Emergency Operations Center remained activated, coordinating weather monitoring, customer communications, field operations and restoration efforts.

UPDATE: 7:30 a.m., Thursday, July 16

At 6:30 a.m. PG&E began issuing weather all-clear notices for most counties included in the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) event that began Wednesday, July 15. 

The weather all-clear allows crews to begin patrols, inspect electrical equipment for wind-related damage and make any necessary repairs before safely restoring power to customers.  

PG&E expects most customers affected by the PSPS event to have power restored this afternoon.

PG&E began proactively shutting off power for safety around noon on Wednesday affecting nine counties and about 5,200 customers. Weather conditions in Fresno and Merced counties never reached PSPS thresholds and customers were not de-energized for safety.

Restoration steps:  

• Weather "All-Clear": After high winds have passed, and it is safe to do so, a weather "all-clear" is issued for our crews to begin patrols and inspect electrical equipment.  
• Patrol and Inspect: Our crews visually inspect for potential weather-related damage to powerlines, poles and towers. This is done by vehicle, foot and air.   
• Isolate and Repair Damage: If crews find equipment damage, they work to isolate the damaged area from the rest of the system. Other parts of the system can then be restored.  
• Restore Power: Once the poles, towers and lines are safe to energize, our Control Center restores power to affected areas.   
• Notify Customers: We notify customers that power has been restored.  

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UPDATE: 9 p.m., Wednesday, July 15

PG&E has implemented a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) affecting approximately 5,000 customers in small portions of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, San Benito, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. Planned PSPS outages in Fresno and Merced counties and for some customers in Monterey County are currently delayed as evolving weather conditions in those areas are monitored.

Crews will begin restoring power after conditions improve and safely inspections are completed. For detailed information about outages, including location of PSPS outages, visit pge.com/outages. 

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UPDATE: 4 p.m., Wednesday, July 15

PG&E has implemented the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) as an additional layer of safety protection during this week’s wind event. PG&E continues to closely monitor weather conditions and will begin restoring power after winds have subsided and crews can safely inspect electric equipment for potential damage or hazards. If damage is found, repairs will be necessary before power is restored in that area.  For detailed information about outages, including location of PSPS outages, visit pge.com/outages. 

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UPDATE: 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 15

PG&E will begin initiating Public Safety Power Shutoffs in targeted portions of 10 counties today. Customers were notified today of the planned safety shutoff as well as the window of time it will occur.  Shutoffs are planned to begin around noon in some areas, with others starting closer to 2 p.m. 

The current scope of the event will affect 6,800 customers are affected in Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Marin, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.  

PG&E reduced the projected number of affected customers by about 1,000 by identifying ways to turn off power in smaller, more targeted areas. This helps limit the number of customers affected while keeping safety as the top priority.

 Customers can check their address at pge.com/pspsupdates to see whether their location is affected or may be affected by the safety shutoff.  

Support for impacted customers

PG&E has opened Community Resource Centers in counties experiencing the most significant customer impacts during the PSPS. CRCs offer a safe place to charge medical equipment and electronic devices, get up-to-date information, and access water, snacks, blankets, ADA-accessible restrooms and other essential items. 

The center will be available at the following locations: 

• Monterey County: Salinas Valley Fairgrounds, 625 Division St., King City (11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.)
• Monterey County: Carmel Valley Community Park/Carmel Valley Community Youth Center, 25 Ford Road, Carmel Valley  (11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.)
• Monterey County: San Antonio Union School, 67550 Lockwood Jolon Road, Lockwood  (11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.)
• Marin County: Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley (noon to 10 p.m.)
• San Luis Obispo County: Cuesta College North County Campus, 2800 Buena Vista Drive, Paso Robles  (11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.)
• Grab & Go Bags will be available in San Joaquin County at San Joaquin County Fire Station 95 (7151 Tracy Hills Dr, Tracy, CA 95377) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For the latest center locations and availability, visit pge.com/crc.  

Additional community support

PG&E has engaged 58 community-based organizations to help customers before, during and after the PSPS. These partners can help with resources such as portable batteries, transportation, food, hotel accommodations and other support for customers with medical needs. They also help share emergency information in up to 16 languages.  

Support partners for this event include Disability Disaster Access and Resources organizations, 2-1-1 organizations, food banks, Meals on Wheels providers, accessible transportation providers and language outreach partners.  

Customers can also call 2-1-1 for assistance.  

Visit PG&E.com for information and tips on how to stay safe during a power outage.

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1:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 14

PG&E is monitoring a potential high wind event that will enter our service area beginning tomorrow. Combined with low relative humidity and dry vegetation, approximately 8,000 customers in targeted portions of 10 counties were notified that a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) may be necessary beginning tomorrow afternoon.

Weather is being monitored for a PSPS that would affect the following counties:

• Alameda – 75 customers
• Contra Costa – 70 customers
• Fresno – 17 customers
• Marin – 2,017 customers
• Merced – 77 customers
• Monterey – 3,083 customers
• San Benito – 154 customers
• Santa Barbara – 287 customers
• San Joaquin – 33 customers
• San Luis Obispo – 1,978 customers

PG&E activated its Emergency Operations Center and began sending advanced notifications to customers on Tuesday, July 14.

Customers will continue to receive updates as conditions change.

Customers can look up their address online to find out if their location is being monitored for the potential safety shutoff at pge.com/pspsupdates.

Community Resource Centers and additional support

PG&E will work with local officials to open Community Resource Centers in heavily affected counties. Searchable information on CRC locations will be available online at PG&E’s Outage Center. 

PG&E is currently planning to stage Community Resource Centers in Monterey, Marin and San Luis Obispo counties. Find more information about CRCs. 

During a PSPS, we open Community Resource Centers (CRCs) where customers can:

• Charge phones, medical devices and other electronic devices.
• Get the latest information about the outage.
• Access water, snacks, blankets and ADA-accessible restrooms.
• Receive other essential support services.

Customers can also call 2-1-1 for assistance. Through partnerships with community organizations, eligible customers who depend on medical devices or assistive technology may be able to receive support such as transportation, accessible hotel accommodations and food assistance.