Residents of Placer and Nevada County have become all too familiar with the PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) over the past couple years. Although they can be frustrating and inconvenient, these events are scheduled in response to severe weather conditions to help prevent wildfires and keep communities safe.

While you may not live or work in an area that has a high risk of fire or that is experiencing high winds, PG&E may still cut electricity due to the interconnectivity of the power grid. Power lines aren’t always connected according to neighborhood, so your power could stay on, while a neighborhood across the street could be turned off.

PG&E has made an effort to educate California residents about the impact of wildfire threat throughout the year. Read on below for general information about PSPS events and some tips for how to prepare for power outages.

Determining when a PSPS will occur

During times when the risk of wildfire is heightened or in the case of a prolonged or severe drought, cities are at greatest risk for wildfire and/or a Public Safety Power Shutoff event occurring.

There are several critical factors that are taken into account when determining if a PSPS should take place. Below are the indicating factors that PG&E uses when making these decisions.

There are several critical factors in determining when a PSS will happen. They include: Red Flag Warning, Low Humidity, High Winds, and PG&E Observations

Images from PGE.com

Weather and Outage Map Resources

For the most accurate resources to determine if your area will be affected by a PSPS, I recommend that you visit PG&E’s website directly. They provide various weather forecast and outage maps that can assist you in preparing for future outages.

7-Day PSPS Forecast Map: 7-day forecast by geographic region
Current Weather Map: View current humidity, precipitation, temperature, wind speeds, wind gusts and Red Flag Warnings.
Outage Map: Report and view current outages by area and look up address specific outage information.

Preparing for a Power Outage

While climate forecasts are certainly helpful, sometimes weather and fire conditions can be unpredictable, so it’s important to be prepared at all times. Below are some recommendations from PG&E’s website with tips for how to set yourself up for success during a planned or impromptu outage.

How to prepare in advance of a power outage: fully charge your mobile devices, practice opening and closing your garage door, make sure PG&E can contact you, fill car gas tanks, keep cash on hand.

Images from PGE.com

For a more complete list of tips on how to prepare for power outages, please visit PG&E’s website. They offer in-depth instructions for preparing for a PSPS event that include the following topics.

Food storage and appliance safety
Ensure your contact information on file with PG&E is updated
Medical Baseline Program – Offered to household members that require a medical or life support device for medical conditions.
Having an Emergency Supply Kit ready in advance can be a huge asset whether you are evacuating or sheltering in place.
Signing up for PSPS Updates and Alerts can help you stay informed and plan accordingly.

Stay safe out there, friends!