PG&E Shuts Off Power In Sonoma County As Fire Danger Surges

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Thousands PG&E customers across the North Bay woke up without electricity this morning — with more outages possibly in store for the Bay Area — as utility crews carried out emergency power shutoffs designed to reduce wildfire risk during a stretch of dangerous fire weather.

PG&E reported that Public Safety Power Shutoffs had now affected 876 customers in Napa County, 238 customers in Sonoma County, and 38 customers in Solano County as of 6 a.m. PG&E also reported at 5:38 a.m. that power outages affected 2,500 customers in Napa.

PG&E uses Public Safety Power Shutoffs, known as PSPS events, when weather conditions create an elevated fire threat.

PG&E estimated power restoration in affected portions of Napa, Sonoma, and Solano counties could take until 4 p.m. Thursday.

The power outages come as a wave of extreme weather sweeps across the Bay Area.

The shutoffs coincided with a "Red Flag" warning covering portions of the North Bay and East Bay, where forecasters warned that strong winds, hot temperatures, low humidity, and dry vegetation could rapidly fuel wildfires.

The National Weather Service said the warning remains in effect until 9 a.m. Thursday.

Forecasters issued a Heat Advisory from noon through 11 p.m. Thursday for the North Bay, East Bay, South Bay, and bayshore communities. Temperatures are expected to climb into the triple digits across inland areas, with Concord and Livermore forecast to reach 105 degrees.

At the same time, wind gusts could reach 45 mph in mountainous areas, with isolated gusts exceeding 60 mph at the highest elevations, according to weather officials.

Weather hazards extend beyond wildfire concerns.

The National Weather Service also issued a Coastal Flood Advisory and a Beach Hazards Statement as strong onshore conditions and high tides impact the region.

The flood advisory remains in effect from 6 p.m. Wednesday through 1 a.m. Saturday in parts of the North Bay.

Forecasters warned that high tides could push water levels up to 1.5 feet above ground in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways, creating localized flooding concerns through the weekend.

Customers can check whether their address is affected through PG&E's website.

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