Wine Country Power Shutoffs Begin

A sign on the Soul Rebel coffee shop in Calistoga notifies customers that the shop is one of many PG&E users who lost power in a deliberate power outage to reduce fire risks on Sept. 25, 2019.
Photo credit Holly Quan/KCBS Radio

CALISTOGA (KCBS Radio) -- PG&E began a round of so-called Public Safety Power Shutoffs before dawn on Wednesday as hot, dry, windy conditions prevail over Northern California.

According to PG&E's website, approximately 1,400 customers in scattered parts of Napa and Sonoma Counties are in the shutoff zone. A much larger number of customers--more than 45,000--is in a shutoff zone covering portions of  Butte, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, and Yuba Counties.

PG&E spokesman Matt Nauman told KCBS Radio the decision to proceed with the shutdowns came as forecasts indicated wind speeds would increase during the early part of the day.  Gauges atop Mt. St. Helena showed steady northerly winds of above 40 MPH and gusts above 50 MPH beginning late Tuesday night.

A post shared by KCBS Radio (@kcbsradio) on Sep 25, 2019 at 11:43am PDT