California Utility Cuts Power as Diablo Winds Heighten Wildfire Risk

18 Oct at 5:29 pm

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California Utility Cuts Power as Diablo Winds Heighten Wildfire Risk \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) shut off power to about 13,000 customers across 12 Northern California counties due to dangerous “diablo winds” that could spark wildfires. The National Weather Service warned of sustained winds up to 35 mph, with gusts reaching 65 mph in higher elevations. These conditions are expected to persist into the weekend, prompting red flag warnings in several regions.

Diablo Winds Cause Power Outages and Fire Alerts in California – Quick Looks:

Power cuts: PG&E shut off electricity for about 13,000 customers in 12 Northern California counties to prevent wildfires.
Diablo winds: Hot, dry winds reaching 65 mph are forecasted, creating critical fire risks through the weekend.
Fire warnings: Red flag warnings extend from the Bay Area to Shasta County, indicating heightened wildfire danger.
Southern California impact: Santa Ana winds in Los Angeles County and surrounding areas could lead to further fire hazards.

Deep Look:

In response to the increased threat of wildfires driven by strong diablo winds, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) shut off power to approximately 13,000 customers across 12 Northern California counties on Friday morning. The utility company began preemptive power shutoffs on Thursday as the National Weather Service warned of hot, dry gusts that could cause power lines to spark fires in dry vegetation.

The notorious diablo winds, which often appear in the fall, are expected to bring sustained winds of up to 35 mph in many regions, with gusts as strong as 65 mph along mountain ridges. According to the National Weather Service, these hazardous wind conditions are forecast to continue into the weekend, raising fire risks across much of Northern California.

Counties Affected by Power Shutoffs:

PG&E’s power cuts affected customers in key regions, including the Bay Area counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Napa, Solano, and Sonoma, as well as northern counties like Colusa, Glenn, Tehama, and Shasta. In total, around 20,000 customers may experience temporary outages over the coming days, as PG&E continues its efforts to prevent downed power lines from igniting wildfires.

The utility’s power shutoffs are part of its Public Safety Power Shutoff program, aimed at reducing the risk of wildfires caused by electrical equipment. PG&E stated that additional power cuts could occur depending on how the weather evolves over the weekend.

Fire Risk Warnings and Diablo Winds:

Meteorologists have issued red flag warnings for critical fire conditions from the central coast through the San Francisco Bay Area and up into northern Shasta County, where winds are expected to be strongest. This “could end up being the most significant wind event for this year so far,” said Brayden Murdock, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Bay Area office.

Diablo winds, which occur when high-pressure systems build over the West, push hot, dry air from inland areas toward the coast, lowering humidity levels and drying out vegetation. This creates ideal conditions for rapid fire spread if a spark occurs.

Southern California: Santa Ana Winds and Fire Risks:

As Northern California faces the threat of diablo winds, Southern California braces for its own fire dangers, driven by the infamous Santa Ana winds. These dry, warm gusts are forecast to hit parts of the Los Angeles area Friday and Saturday, potentially causing further wildfire risks.

The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for the valleys, mountains, and foothills of Los Angeles County, portions of the Inland Empire, and the San Bernardino Mountains. Though the winds in Southern California are not expected to be as strong as those in the north, gusts between 25 and 40 mph are still predicted in higher elevations, according to meteorologist Mike Wofford of the weather service’s Los Angeles-area office.

In the Santa Monica and San Gabriel mountains, wind gusts have already reached speeds between 45 and 55 mph, with isolated peaks seeing gusts as high as 60 mph. Wofford warned that with drying humidity levels, any fire sparked by these winds could spread rapidly.

Cold Weather and Snow in Lake Tahoe:

While winds are causing fire risks across most of California, the Sierra Nevada region around Lake Tahoe experienced lighter weather activity on Friday, with some mountaintops receiving light snowfall overnight. Wind sensors in peaks west of Lake Tahoe recorded gusts reaching 75 and 104 mph, although these are expected to taper off by Saturday morning.

Temperatures are expected to dip near freezing again overnight, with the National Weather Service issuing its first freeze warning of the season for the eastern Sierra region, including areas south of Carson City and into Lassen, Sierra, and Plumas counties in California. These freezing temperatures, expected to drop into the low 20s Fahrenheit, could damage crops and outdoor plumbing in unprotected areas.

The Impact of Wind Events Across California:

The combination of strong diablo winds in the north and Santa Ana winds in the south is raising concerns about the potential for major wildfires. While power shutoffs may help prevent fire outbreaks in some areas, residents across California are being urged to remain vigilant. Wind-driven fires can spread rapidly, particularly in regions where vegetation has been dried out by weeks of low humidity and hot weather.

“We have the winds, and we have dry conditions,” said Wofford. “If a fire sparks, it could spread very quickly.”

Future Wind Events and Preparedness:

With fire season still underway in California, these wind events are a stark reminder of the challenges the state faces each autumn. Utility companies like PG&E continue to implement proactive power shutoff strategies to prevent wildfires, but the growing intensity and frequency of these wind-driven events highlight the importance of long-term solutions for fire prevention and community safety.