PG&E Postcards Go Out To 57K Ahead Of Fire Season Shutoffs

NAPA COUNTY, CA — PG&E is reminding customers in high fire threat areas from the Sierras to the Coast to parts of Napa and Sonoma counties in the North Bay, to update their contact information with the utility ahead of wildfire season to receive alerts about possible Public Safety Power Shutoffs or other emergency information.

PG&E last fall had multiple Public Safety Power Shutoffs— or PSPS — the utility's term for its preemptive shutoff of portions of its electrical system to try to prevent the equipment from sparking wildfires.

"Extreme weather threats can change quickly," PG&E's North Bay Spokesperson Deanna Contreras said. "PG&E’s goal, dependent on weather and other factors, is to send customer alerts through automated calls, texts and emails two days ahead, again one day ahead, and again just prior to shutting off power."

PG&E says 92,000 customers updated their contact information in 2019.

Ahead of the 2020 fire season, PG&E says it sent postcards in March to more than 200,000 customers in high fire threat areas, reminding them to update their cell phone number, email and other key contact information so PG&E may contact them should it be necessary to temporarily turn off power for safety reasons.

According to the California Public Utilities Commission Firemap, multiple areas of Napa and Sonoma counties are in the Tier 2 and Tier 3 categories, with Tier 2 being at "elevated" risk for wildfire and Tier 3 being at "extreme" risk.

This week, a second-notice postcard was being sent to about 57,000 PG&E customers who have missing or incomplete contact information associated with their PG&E account.

"We want to thank those customers who have taken action to ensure that we have your current contact information," PG&E Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer Laurie Giammona said. "If you haven’t shared your updated contact information, please do so right away as it will keep us all better prepared to stay emergency-ready and to keep our families and friends safe."

Customers can update their information by visiting Pge.com/mywildfirealerts or by calling the PG&E contact center at 866-743-6589. Customers are encouraged to list multiple methods for contact including home phone numbers, mobile phone numbers and email addresses.

ALSO SEE:

• Napa County To Soon Have 2 PG&E Microgrids
• PG&E Generators Spark Complaints From City Of Calistoga

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.