PG&E has returned power to most homes while 600 PG&E customers in Kern County still remain de-energized due to the continuing PSPS (Public Power Safety Shutoff) that was decided after Monday’s wind event, extreme drought and dry conditions. Monday’s (9/20) wind event, combined with extreme to exceptional drought and extremely dry vegetation, prompted PG&E to send two-day advance notifications (via text, email and automated phone call) to approximately 17,000 customers in targeted portions of 13 counties and two tribes where PG&E may have needed to implement a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) to reduce the risk of wildfire from energized power lines. PG&E’s Emergency Operations Center and Meteorology team continuously monitor the weather forecast and conditions. Several counties have been descoped, including Mendocino, Butte, Sonoma, Shasta and Santa Barbara.
At this time, about 2,200 customers in eight counties and one tribal community have been affected by this PSPS – less than the 7,100-customer impact projected earlier. Currently, about 600 PG&E customers are de-energized in Kern County for public safety due to the weather.