Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has announced that potential public safety power shutoffs are on the horizon for approximately 6,352 customers in San Joaquin County this Saturday. The proactive measure is part of an effort to mitigate wildfire risks amid forecasted dangerous weather conditions.
PG&E has alerted customers across seven Central Valley counties that up to 16,000 homes and businesses could be without power due to the high temperatures and gusty winds predicted for the weekend. The National Weather Service in Sacramento forecasts Saturday’s temperatures in Stockton to peak at 98 degrees, with winds ranging from six to 13 mph and gusts reaching up to 21 mph.
These public safety power shutoffs are used by utilities like PG&E as a precautionary method to prevent the ignition of catastrophic wildfires during high wind events, low humidity, and dry conditions. The utility company emphasized that these shutoffs are a last resort to ensure public safety.
The planned outage will commence at 11 a.m. on Saturday, and if weather conditions permit, power could be restored as early as Saturday evening. PG&E has also noted that the restoration process involves comprehensive inspections of power lines after severe weather conditions have subsided, which could take several hours.
Residents are encouraged to check PG&E's website to see if their specific address is under monitoring for a potential shutoff. The following is a breakdown of other affected counties and the number of customers who might experience power outages:
- Alameda: 163 customers
- Contra Costa: 328 customers
- Fresno: 3 customers
- Merced: 3,979 customers
- San Benito: 193 customers
- Stanislaus: 5,028 customers
Residents are advised to prepare for the shutoff by ensuring they have alternative power sources, emergency supplies, and important contacts readily available.
