SAN FRANCISCO — On Friday morning, approximately 13,000 residents in Northern California faced a power outage after Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) took preventive measures to turn off electricity as a safety precaution against potential wildfires. The decision was made due to forecasts of dry weather and strong winds that are expected to persist throughout the weekend.
PG&E initiated the power shutoffs Thursday evening, affecting customers across 12 counties, which include Alameda, Contra Costa, Napa, Solano, and Sonoma in the Bay Area. The utility company indicated that some customers in the northern counties of Colusa, Glenn, Tehama, and Shasta would also experience outages. Altogether, PG&E anticipates that around 20,000 customers may experience temporary power loss over the next couple of days.
Weather authorities have issued red flag warnings for increased fire hazard extending until Saturday, covering areas from the central coast through the San Francisco Bay Area and up into northern Shasta County, which is near the Oregon border. Meteorologists have predicted a significant “diablo wind” event, characterized by hot, dry gusts, to begin Thursday night and continue through Saturday. This weather system is expected to decrease humidity levels further, elevating wildfire risks in the region.
Sustained winds of up to 35 mph (56 kph) are forecasted, with some gusts possibly exceeding 65 mph (104 kph) in mountainous areas, according to the National Weather Service. Brayden Murdock, a meteorologist at the Bay Area office, cautioned, “This could end up being the most significant wind event for this year so far. We want to encourage everyone to remain vigilant.”
The diablo winds are typically known for their drying effect on the environment, contributing to lower humidity which prepares vegetation for ignition. The term “diablo,” meaning “devil” in Spanish, refers to these hot winds that move from the interior towards the San Francisco coastline during autumn when high pressure systems dominate the western region.
In addition to the northern region, Southern California may also see targeted power shutdowns due to expected Santa Ana winds on Friday and Saturday. These winds are characterized by warm, dry conditions blowing from the interior towards the coastal regions, disrupting the usual flow of moist air from the Pacific Ocean.
The National Weather Service has placed red flag warnings for fire risk in the valleys and mountains within Los Angeles County, including parts of the Inland Empire and the San Bernardino Mountains. Winds in the greater Los Angeles area are anticipated to be less intense than those in the north, with potential gusts ranging from 25 to 40 mph (40 to 64 kph), according to meteorologist Mike Wofford from the Los Angeles weather office. “I think it’s going to be more moderate,” he commented. “However, the threat of wildfires remains.”
Contrastingly, snow is predicted for the upper elevations surrounding Lake Tahoe, with forecasts suggesting up to 2 inches (5 centimeters) could fall from Friday morning. Wind gusts in that area may reach as high as 70 mph (113 kph). The National Weather Service in Reno, Nevada also issued its first freeze warning of the season for the Sierra’s eastern front, effective from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. Friday, stretching from south of Carson City northward through Reno into Lassen, Sierra, and Plumas counties. Temperatures in these areas might plunge to the low 20s Fahrenheit (-5 Celsius).
Officials warned that frost and freeze conditions could lead to the loss of crops and sensitive vegetation as well as potential damage to unprotected outdoor plumbing.