PG&E prepares for Public Safety Power Shutoffs due to high winds

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is monitoring a forecasted high wind event expected to impact portions of its service area, beginning Wednesday, July 15, 2026. The utility is preparing to enact Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) for up to approximately 7,800 customers across 10 counties, including areas in the North Bay, South Bay, East Bay, Salinas Valley, San Joaquin Valley, and Central Coast.

The decision to plan for power shutoffs stems from a combination of high winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation, which collectively create an elevated wildfire risk. This marks the third PSPS event for PG&E in 2026. The company emphasizes that these measures are taken for safety, even if local weather conditions do not appear severe, as power lines can traverse high-risk zones.

Among the affected customers, Marin County is projected to have the largest number impacted with 2,017 customers, followed by San Luis Obispo County with 1,978. Other counties listed include Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Barbara, and San Joaquin. PG&E has activated its Emergency Operations Center and began sending advanced notifications to customers in targeted areas on Tuesday, July 14.

The duration and scope of the outages will depend on weather conditions and any damage or repairs required after inspections. PG&E states it is continuously working to reduce the impact of PSPS events through improved planning and preparation, such as implementing energy storage systems and new technologies. The company describes PSPS as a last resort measure to keep customers and communities safe during extreme weather conditions.