PG&E confirmed it will shut off power to nearly 940,000 customers in Northern and Central California starting Saturday afternoon due to weather conditions that increase the risk of wildfire.
This is an increase of almost 90,000 from previous estimates, according to a representative from PG&E. The Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) is expected to end midday Monday.
The power will be turned off in six phases, with the first one scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday that will include Amador, Butte, El Dorado, San Joaquin, Sierra and Yuba Counties, among others.
Other counties to be impacted by the PSPS include Napa, Yolo, Santa Cruz, Solano, Tehama, Mariposa, Humboldt and Kern Counties.
PG&E customers can see if their homes will be affected by the power shutdown by checking the PSPS area map.
The utility will open 56 Community Resource Centers in areas where power will be shut off. These centers will provide water, phone charging stations, air-conditioned seating for up to 100 people and restrooms. Customers can view the current list of centers here.
In most cases, the utility has notified potentially impacted customers up to 48 hours in advance. However, some customers will not be notified in advance due to PG&E equipment possibly being damaged in areas with major winds, according to a PG&E representative.
