PG&E announced that they will be shutting off power to roughly 15,000 Californians beginning Tuesday evening in an effort to combat wildfire threats. The decision to implement these Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) came after it was determined that weather conditions, including low humidity, dry vegetation, and gusty winds in parts of the Bay Area, could create critical fire conditions. These power shutoffs are necessary to prevent potential fires caused by damaged equipment during strong winds. The affected areas include 17 counties and three tribal areas, with power shutoffs set to begin at 7 p.m. local time on Tuesday.
Despite the upcoming power outages, the election is not expected to be impacted in the affected areas. PG&E spokesperson Jeff Smith confirmed that the shutoffs are not expected to occur at polling locations until after polls have closed at 8 p.m. Furthermore, there are backup generators in place at both polling locations and tabulation centers to ensure that voting procedures and vote counts are not delayed. Smith also mentioned that additional polling locations would be provided with backup power if they are added to the scope of the power shutoffs due to changes in the forecast.
Over 7.6 million Californians have already cast their votes through early voting or mail-in ballots, alleviating concerns about potential disruptions to the election process in the impacted areas. The planned power outages are expected to last until early Friday morning, coinciding with red flag warnings issued by the National Weather Service in San Francisco. These warnings highlight the dangers posed by strong winds and low humidity, creating a high risk of wildfires. Despite recent rain, the conditions are conducive to the rapid drying out of fuels and the rapid growth of fires.
California has already faced significant wildfire activity this year, with nearly 7,300 wildfires burning over a million acres of land. The state typically experiences wildfire season through October or November, making the current fire conditions a cause for concern. The combination of strong winds and low humidity poses a serious risk of fire incidents that could rapidly escalate in size and intensity. The NWS has urged fire crews and residents to stay informed about the weather forecast and to avoid outdoor burning, which may be prohibited in some areas due to the heightened fire danger.
In response to the wildfire threats, PG&E has taken proactive measures to prevent potential fires by implementing power shutoffs in high-risk areas. While the outages may inconveinance Californians in the affected regions, they are a necessary precaution to protect lives and property from the risk of wildfires. With the support of backup generators at key locations, such as polling places and tabulation centers, the election process is expected to proceed smoothly without any delays caused by the power outages. Residents are advised to stay informed about the evolving weather conditions and take precautions to ensure their safety during this high-risk period.
