Power cut to thousands of Northern California residents amid wildfire threat

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) cut power to thousands of customers in Northern California this week in an effort to prevent wildfires.

The company cut power to about 24,000 customers in the Sierra foothills on Monday night, affecting residents in Butte, Nevada and Yuba counties. PG&E cited “dry and windy conditions” that increase the risk of wildfires.

{mosads}“After the dry and windy weather has passed and it is safe to do so, likely on Tuesday morning, PG&E crews will work to visually inspect each mile of our power lines to ensure they are free from damage and safe to energize,” the company said in a statement.

PG&E said it expects to restore power to those residents affected within 24 to 48 hours.

Red flag warnings for fire danger were in effect Tuesday north and east of San Francisco, The Associated Press reported.

The company agreed this month to pay $11 billion to insurance companies for the devastation that resulted from the blaze in Paradise, Calif., and other cities and counties in Northern California in 2017 and 2018.

The 2018 Camp Fire left more than 80 people dead in Northern California. A Cal Fire report in May faulted PG&E’s equipment for the wildfires.

The company filed for bankruptcy in January.