By Megan Munce
Bay City News Foundation
PG&E is expanding its resources for customers at risk of being affected by planned power outages as California s wildfire season rages on.
Public Safety Power Shutoffs, or PSPS events, are part of PG&E s efforts to prevent wildfires that could happen if high winds cause damage to power lines. A combination of factors such as low humidity, high winds, dry material and nearby tall trees can cause PG&E to temporarily shut off power until the danger of a wildfire has passed.
PG&E has only reported one PSPS event in 2021 so far: a planned outage from Jan. 19 to 21 that impacted about 5,100 Central California residents after 83 mph wind gusts created an imminent threat of wildfire.