PG&E to cut off power to 1,600 in Solano County
Electrical service expected to be severed Sunday afternoon.
(Click or tap on the map for an interactive version. If you cannot see the above map, click or tap here.)
The Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) will cut off power to more than 1,600 customers in Solano County, including residents and businesses who are within portions of the LNU Lightning Complex wildfire burn scar.
The utility says the move, known as a public safety power shutoff (PSPS), is needed because weather conditions over the next several days are expected to contribute to the possible quick start and spread of new wildfires.
"While there is still uncertainty regarding the strength and timing of this weather wind event, high fire-risk conditions are expected to arrive Sunday morning," a PG&E spokesperson said in a statement emailed to reporters.
The spokesperson said the worst areas are expected to be along northern and western Sacramento Valley, the Northern and Central Sierra and high terrain in the Bay Area.
In Solano County, PG&E says 1,602 customers are covered by the PSPS event. Those customers are located in rural parts of Fairfield and Vacaville. Nearly all homes and businesses along Pleasants Valley Road from Interstate 80 in Vacaville to Highway 128 near Winters will have their power turned off, according to a PG&E map reviewed by Solano News Update.
In rural Fairfield, homes and businesses closest to the Napa County line are expected to lose power. Customers near American Canyon are also expected to lose service, according to the PG&E map.
PG&E says power is scheduled to be turned off Sunday afternoon between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. and will likely remain off until Tuesday at 10 p.m., though the utility is known to restore power earlier if weather conditions improve.
But forecasters say the opposite is likely to happen: Weather conditions are predicted to be more dangerous this weekend compared to previous Red Flag Warnings issued over the last two months.
Already, several grass fires have ignited in Solano County during previous weather events, including a three-alarm fire along Business Center Drive in Fairfield that briefly threatened an apartment complex and a 90-acre grass fire that jumped Interstate 80 along Midway Road near Vacaville.
What to Do Before a PSPS Event
When a PSPS event is declared by PG&E, affected residents, business and other customers could be without electrical power service for several days — and, in the event of a declared disaster like a wildfire or flood, possibly even longer. There are several things residents who live in areas prone to PSPS events should do before one is declared:
Update your contact information with PG&E. This is critical so PG&E can inform you of any potential or planned power outages. Click or tap here to update your information, or call 1-866-743-6589 for help.
Sign up for Alert Solano. This is the only way county officials notify residents — especially those in rural areas — of emergency alerts and evacuation notices. These free emergency messages are sent via phone call, text message or email based on your preference. County officials do not use Nixle alerts, though your local police or fire department may use them in tandem with Alert Solano. Click or tap here to register for Alert Solano.
Prepare an emergency supply kit. This kit should include a First Aid kit, flashlights, batteries, a battery-powered AM/FM radio, one gallon of water for every person and day that service is expected to be offline and non-perishable food.
Prepare an emergency document kit. This kit should include all of your important personal, household and business documents, including personal identification (birth certificate, immigration information, driver’s license, passport), home ownership or lease information, car ownership or lease information, home insurance information, car insurance information, health insurance information, vaccination information, a list of all current prescription drugs taken and emergency phone numbers and addresses.
Get cash. In the event of a power outage, ATMs and banking services are likely to be unavailable. Even when an ATM or a bank has power, their online services may be disrupted due to power outages impacting computer networks.
Get fuel. At least a half-tank of fuel is recommended for those who are in emergency-prone areas, though a full tank of gas is encouraged when possible.
Freeze water. This will help keep perishable food fresh in your refrigerator and freezer during a prolonged power outage.
Fully charge phones, tablets and laptops. Charging may not be available in the event of a prolonged power outage. Charging devices via car is not recommended for long periods of time. Instead, purchase spare batteries with USB ports like this one to ensure you have plenty of backup battery power for your phones and other devices.
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