PG&E proactive shutoffs, Red Flag warning and heat advisory this weekend
NAPA COUNTY, Calif. (KTVU/BCN) - Pacific Gas and Electric has decided to proactively shut off power for approximately 1,600 customers early Saturday morning in parts of the North Bay to reduce the risk of wildfires.
The Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) was announced late Friday night, but earlier in the day, PG&E had said there would be potential for the shutoffs as the first red flag warning of the fire season was issued.
Click for the map: CPUC Fire-Threat Tiers & Public Safety Power Shutoff
The utility company said the power shutoff would effect portions of Napa and Lake Berryessa in Napa County, portions of Suisun City, Vacaville and Winters in Solano County and portions of Davis and Winters in Yolo County.
The outage will commence at 6 a.m. Saturday, June 8 and will last through at least Saturday afternoon.
PG&E said its goal is to send customer alerts through automated calls, texts and emails before shutting off power.
The peak fire risk will last until 10 a.m. Sunday, according to PG&E.
"The safety of our customers and the communities we serve is our most important responsibility. We know how much our customers rely on electric service, and our decision tonight to turn off power is to protect our communities experiencing extreme fire danger," said Michael Lewis, senior V.P. of Electric Operations at PG&E.
Temperatures could soar to record or near record conditions this weekend throughout a widespread part of the Bay Area at 95 to 105 degrees inland.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a red flag warning for Friday night through Sunday afternoon for the North Bay hills over 1,000 feet. Meanwhile, NWS issued a heat advisory, which is in effect through Sunday night.
San Francisco, more accustomed to "June gloom" this time of year, will see unseasonable heat reaching the upper 80s to lower 90s. Those susceptible to these conditions, including sensitive populations such as the elderly and infants and those without access to air conditioning, should be advised.
San Francisco's Department of Emergency Management reminds to be cautious and not engage in strenuous activity and to drink plenty of water.
The winds will be the major concern in the North Bay. Winds on Friday night across the North Bay hills are expected to produce gusts of 40 to 50 mph over the highest peaks and temperatures on Saturday are forecast to be in the 90s.
Humidity will be 40-50 percent Friday night, dropping to 12-22 percent Saturday and 10 percent Sunday afternoon.
Winds will return Saturday but the low humidity will create critical fire weather conditions, the National Weather Service said.
Fuels are not at critical levels but a weather event of this magnitude will allow fire to carry through finer fuels such as grass, officials said. Grass fires can spread rapidly and outdoor burning is not
recommended.
Winds will ease Sunday but temperatures will be in the 90s to near 100 degrees with light offshore winds, the National Weather Service said.
The highest threat is located along the hills of eastern Napa County and around Mt. Saint Helena.
Yountville Community Center, located at 6516 Washington Street, will be opened as a cooling center in the event that the town experiences any power outages.
Bay City News' James Lanaras contributed to this report.
MORE ON HEAT ADVISORY:
NWS issues heat advisory for:
In effect Friday morning to Sunday 9 p.m.
San Francisco-North Bay Interior Valleys
SF Bay Shoreline-East Bay Interior Valleys
Santa Clara Valley including San Jose
Cities include:
San Francisco, Santa Rosa, South Santa Rosa, Napa, San Rafael, Petaluma, Novato, Rohnert Park, Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, Daly City, Berkeley, Concord, Antioch, Livermore, Walnut Creek, Pleasanton, Pittsburg, San Ramon and San Jose.