09 Jun 2019 | 03:43 AM UTC
US: California power company cuts electricity to 27,000 amid fire risk /update 1
California utility company PG&E cut off power to 27,000 customers on June 8 due to increased risk of wildfires; similar practices likely in coming weeks and months
Event
California utility company PG&E announced it temporarily cut off power to 27,000 customers on Saturday, June 8, due to the increased risk of wildfires in the state. The power outages began at 21:00 (local time) for customers in northern California state, including Butte, Yuba, Nevada, El Dorado, Placer, Napa, Solano, and Yolo counties. Similar such practices are likely during times of increased risk of wildfire.
Context
PG&E power lines caused the deadly Camp Fire in November 2018 that killed 85 people and destroyed 19,000 homes.
The US National Weather Service (NWS) issued the first red flag warning, or heightened risk of wildfires, of the season on Friday, June 7, and effective through Sunday, June 9. Wildfires are common in California from August through December.
Advice
Individuals in California are advised to monitor local weather reports, anticipate disruptions to electricity during times of heightened risk of wildfires, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities, and have emergency and evacuation plans in place.
