Warmer winds from the Great Basin — often called Diablo winds — are now the primary concern for meteorologists as most of Northern California falls under a National Weather Service red flag warning beginning at 11 p.m. Thursday and lasting through 5 p.m. Saturday.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is considering implementing a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) in parts of Santa Barbara County as a precautionary measure to prevent wildfires, with the shutoff possibly commencing as early as 7:00 AM on October 18,

Ahead of potentially dangerous conditions that could lead to wildfires, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is warning of possible public safety power shutoffs affecting a small number of customers across a wide swath of Northern and Central California beginning as early as Thursday night.

The wind event is slated to start around noon on Thursday and may last until midday Saturday. The duration and extent of power outages will depend on the weather in each area, and not all customers will be affected for the entire period. These planned power shutoffs are utilized to help reduce the risk of wildfires.

PG&E, California’s largest utility provider, has warned upwards of around 32,000 customers in northern and central parts of the Golden State that they could see their power shut off in an effort to reduce the wildfire risk from energized equipment and power lines.

Ahead of potentially dangerous conditions that could lead to wildfires, Pacific Gas & Electric Co. is warning of possible public safety power shutoffs across a wide swath of Northern and Central California beginning as early as Thursday night.

With an elevated fire risk warning taking effect across Northern California starting this Thursday, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) has announced that public safety power shutoffs (PSPS) are likely for dozens of California counties.