PG&E had restored power to some customers affected by wildfire-prevention shutoffs in five Bay Area counties by Friday afternoon, but others were still waiting, utility spokesperson Tamar Sarkissian said.
The shutoffs began Wednesday evening amid dry, windy weather. PG&E had planned to cut power to about 90,000 customers across 29 counties to reduce the risk of its equipment starting wildfires. A National Weather Service Red Flag Warning for the interior North Bay mountains remained in effect until 11 a.m. Friday, with gusts of up to 60 mph possible at the highest peaks.
Sarkissian said power was back for 1,666 of 4,720 affected customers in Alameda County, 458 of 1,607 in Contra Costa County and 323 of 2,915 in Napa County. All 32 affected customers in Solano County had service restored, along with 952 customers in Sonoma County.
The shutoffs were expected to last into Saturday, though milder weather was forecast for the weekend and early next week. PG&E has opened community resource centers offering charging, Wi-Fi and other supplies. It encouraged customers needing additional support, including those who depend on power for medical needs, to contact 211.
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