Learn more about preparing for the threat of wildfires


Nothing is more important to PG&E than keeping our customers and communities safe.


Extreme weather events are causing unprecedented and unanticipated wildfires. In 2017 alone, California confronted more wildfires than ever before. We’ve already enhanced our efforts to reduce wildfire risks in response to this changing environment. And we are partnering now to do even more.


Working with customers, community leaders and first responders, our Community Wildfire Safety Program implements additional precautionary measures intended to reduce wildfire risks and strengthen our communities for the future.

Wildfire prevention and emergency response

  • Establishing a dedicated center to monitor wildfire risks in real time and coordinate prevention and response efforts
  • Expanding our network of PG&E weather stations to enhance weather forecasting and modeling

New and enhanced safety measures

  • In response to the growing risk of wildfire in our state, we are expanding and accelerating our vegetation and safety work. Learn about our enhanced vegetation and safety work.
  • We are partnering with customers in high fire-threat areas to create safe space between distribution lines and trees and brush that can act as fuel for wildfires. Learn about fire defense zones.
  • Refining and executing protocols to proactively turn off electric power where extreme fire danger conditions are occurring

Longer term electric system hardening

  • Investing in stronger, coated power lines
  • Replacing wood poles with non-wood material in some areas in coming years

Find out if you are in a high fire-threat area

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) worked with CAL FIRE and other utility and public-safety experts to develop a High Fire-Threat District Map, adopted in January 2018. The map identifies areas across California that have the highest likelihood of a wildfire impacting people and property, and where additional action may be necessary to reduce wildfire risks.

  • Tier 3 areas are at extreme risk for wildfire
  • Tier 2 areas are at elevated risk for wildfire
  • Zone 1 areas are those with high numbers of dead and dying trees

Customers who are served by PG&E electric lines that run through areas that are at extreme risk for wildfire may have their power temporarily turned off for safety during extreme weather conditions. Find out if you’re in an area where power may be shut off for safety.


Check your address


Learn more in the SHUTTING OFF POWER FOR SAFETY section on this page.

For public safety, it may be necessary for us to activate a Public Safety Power Shutoff. During the shutoff, we will temporarily turn off electricity to customers who are served by PG&E electric lines that run through extreme fire-threat areas. Find out if you're in an area where power may be shut off for safety.


Check your address

Visit the Public Safety Power Shutoff FAQ


We know how much our customers rely on reliable electric service and would only consider temporarily turning off power in the interest of safety when extreme fire danger conditions occur, and as a last resort. If we need to turn off power, we will attempt to contact customers in advance to ensure enough time to prepare. We will also provide updates until power is restored.


Make sure we have your correct contact information

Learn more about public safety power shutoff notifications


For more information, you may also call 1-866-743-6589.



What to expect if power is turned off under these circumstances

  • When and where possible, early warning notification so you can prepare
  • Additional updates through social media, local news, radio and pge.com
  • Coordination with local authorities to provide outage information


Learn the steps you can take to prepare for wildfire season in the PREPARE FOR OUTAGES WITH THESE TIPS section on this page.



DOWNLOAD OUR PUBLIC SAFETY POWER SHUTOFF POLICIES AND PROCEDURES (PDF, 4.8 MB)

Public Safety Power Shutoff Report

PG&E initiated our first-ever Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) on Sunday, October 14, 2018. It ended on October 17, 2018. We submitted our report on the PSPS to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on October 31, 2018.


About 59,000 customers were impacted. The PSPS was based on forecasted and actual conditions and was only initiated as a last resort to protect public safety. Essentially all customers had their power restored by Tuesday, October 17, 2018.


As the report notes, "Ultimately, the decision to shut off power was made for one reason – to keep our communities and customers safe and help reduce the risk of wildfires."


It continues: "Although we were able to leverage and successfully execute the PSPS process with zero safety incidents and no ignitions related to PG&E facilities in the affected areas after the PSPS was initiated, we continue to view PSPS as a tool of last resort among PG&E’s overall wildfire mitigation strategy. Knowing the potential impacts of this safety measure on our customers and communities, PG&E views this as an extreme measure that should be taken with great care and will continue to learn from the use of PSPS to develop and implement improvements."


Download the Public Safety Power Shutoff report (PDF, 1.2 MB)

Take these steps to prepare for wildfire season and a potential public safety power shutoff.

  • Build or restock your emergency supply kit. Stock supplies to last a week, including flashlights, fresh batteries, first aid supplies and cash.
    Visit emergency preparedness
    Create a supply kit
  • Plan for any medical needs for you and your family. Talk with your doctor about planning for any medications that may need to be refrigerated or medical devices that require power.
  • Store emergency water and food in portable containers. Have enough water and food to last a week. Store in portable, waterproof containers in an easy-to-reach location.
  • Identify backup charging methods for phones. Consider alternative charging methods such as portable battery packs for phones and other devices that require power.
  • Create and practice an emergency plan. Make sure everyone in your home knows what to do by practicing your emergency plan several times.
  • Print and store an emergency contact list outside of your phone. In the event your phone battery dies, make sure every member of your family has a copy of important phone numbers.
  • Evaluate your home. Install and replace batteries in smoke alarms, and locate and know how to use fire extinguishers.
  • Know how to open your garage door manually. Learn and practice opening your garage door using the manual release lever.
  • Keep your gas tank full or your car charged. Gas stations rely on electricity to pump gas, so try to keep your gas tank full in case of an outage. If you have an electric vehicle, keep it charged.
  • Keep ice on hand to keep food cold. Freeze water in plastic jugs so you can use them to keep food cold during a temporary outage.
  • Are you a master meter account holder or landlord? Download and print these flyers to inform your tenants of important wildfire safety information.
    Emergency Preparedness Flyer for Tenants (English) (PDF, 75 KB)
    Emergency Preparedness Flyer for Tenants (Spanish) (PDF, 66 KB)
    Emergency Preparedness Flyer for Tenants (Vietnamese) (PDF, 61 KB)
    Emergency Preparedness Flyer for Tenants (Chinese) (PDF, 117 KB)

For more information on preparing your family and home for wildfires, visit:


CAL FIRE Ready for Wildfire

California Governor's Office of Emergency Services

National Weather Service