"Due to a widespread dry, offshore wind event on Tuesday (Oct. 29), through midday Wednesday (Oct. 30), PG&E confirmed today that it is in the process of implementing a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) to approximately 597,000 customers in Northern and Southern Sierra, North Bay, Bay Area, Santa Cruz mountains, North Coast and Kern County", the notice said.
Approximately 500,000 customers are already without electric service as a result of PSPS along with another 400,000 customers who were originally impacted by the October 26 move, the release said.
Earlier in the day, the National Weather Service in San Francisco issued a Red Flag Warning for the East Bay Hills lasting from 1 p.m. Tuesday to 4 p.m. Wednesday.
The National Weather Service in San Francisco has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from today to 4 PM Wednesday due to high winds and dry conditions. The East Bay Hills have been identified as an area of particular concern. pic.twitter.com/LvTgo3Q2ue
— Carlos F. Camargo, Ph.D. (@CarlosFCamargo1) October 29, 2019
According to BBC, PG&E already faces an investigation by regulators in California after cutting power to almost a million properties in a bid to reduce the fires. The report said thousands of residents near the wealthy Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles have been told to evacuate because of a wildfire that began early on Monday.
Among those who have fled the fire, which started near the Getty Centre arts complex include celebrities such as actor-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger and basketball star LeBron James.
