PG&E plans power outages in Northern California amid wildfire risk
Strong winds, dry conditions prompt PG&E shutoff warnings across 15 counties
Updated: 7:09 PM PDT May 16, 2026
A red flag warning is in effect across much of Northern California this weekend, as strong winds, dry air and crisp vegetation raise the threat of fast moving wildfires and prompt PG&E to prepare preventative power shutoffs for thousands of customers.PG&E says a potential Public Safety Power Shutoff event could affect about 7,382 customers across portions of 15 counties, including Alameda, Colusa, Contra Costa, Fresno, Glenn, Lake, Merced, Napa, San Benito, San Joaquin, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tehama and Yolo counties.San Joaquin County has the highest number of potentially affected customers at 2,967, followed by Tehama County with 1,129 and Glenn County with 971. PG&E says 296 Medical Baseline customers, people who rely on electricity for medical needs, could also be impacted.“Especially the high winds can blow vegetation, tree branches, into PG&E’s overhead distribution lines and create sparks that could turn into a wildfire,” PG&E spokesperson Megan McFarland said.PG&E says customer notifications were sent Friday afternoon, roughly 48 hours before potential shutoffs. Power could be turned off as early as Sunday morning and remain out into Monday.San Joaquin County officials say they are working with PG&E and local fire agencies to help residents prepare.“We’ve been working very closely with PG&E and our local partners to make sure that community members have emergency kits available to them,” said Kia Xiong with San Joaquin County.For some residents in Tracy, the short notice is raising concerns, especially for people who rely on powered medical devices like CPAP machines.“We’re trying to scramble to get everything ready,” Tracy resident, Rick Kim said.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY, Calif. —
A red flag warning is in effect across much of Northern California this weekend, as strong winds, dry air and crisp vegetation raise the threat of fast moving wildfires and prompt PG&E to prepare preventative power shutoffs for thousands of customers.
PG&E says a potential Public Safety Power Shutoff event could affect about 7,382 customers across portions of 15 counties, including Alameda, Colusa, Contra Costa, Fresno, Glenn, Lake, Merced, Napa, San Benito, San Joaquin, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tehama and Yolo counties.
San Joaquin County has the highest number of potentially affected customers at 2,967, followed by Tehama County with 1,129 and Glenn County with 971. PG&E says 296 Medical Baseline customers, people who rely on electricity for medical needs, could also be impacted.
“Especially the high winds can blow vegetation, tree branches, into PG&E’s overhead distribution lines and create sparks that could turn into a wildfire,” PG&E spokesperson Megan McFarland said.
PG&E says customer notifications were sent Friday afternoon, roughly 48 hours before potential shutoffs. Power could be turned off as early as Sunday morning and remain out into Monday.
San Joaquin County officials say they are working with PG&E and local fire agencies to help residents prepare.
“We’ve been working very closely with PG&E and our local partners to make sure that community members have emergency kits available to them,” said Kia Xiong with San Joaquin County.
For some residents in Tracy, the short notice is raising concerns, especially for people who rely on powered medical devices like CPAP machines.
“We’re trying to scramble to get everything ready,” Tracy resident, Rick Kim said.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel