Starting on or about April 15, 2019, all PG&E electric customers will be receiving a letter or an email letting them know that, as a last resort, PG&E may need to turn off their power for safety when extreme fire danger conditions are forecasted. This is a part of PG&E Community Wildfire Safety Program [1]. Click here [2] for a copy of the letter and here [3] for PG&E's Public Safety Power Shutoff fact sheet.
Expansion of their Public Safety Power Shutoff program will begin with the 2019 wildfire season to include all electric lines that pass through high fire-threat areas – both distribution and transmission.
PG&E is encouraging all residents to update their contact info by visiting pge.com/mywildfirealerts [4] today to make sure PG&E can provide customers with advance notice prior to turning off the power. They will also provide updates until power is restored. Other valuable items to consider doing now:
- Identify backup charging methods for phones and keep hard copies of emergency numbers.
- Plan for any medical needs like medications that need to be refrigerated or devices that require power.
- Build or restock your emergency kit with flashlights, fresh batteries, first aid supplies and cash.
Thank you for your cooperation in this important safety & communication effort!