Update: PG&E Alerts Mother Lode To Possible PSPS Starting Labor Day Evening

More information on preparing for Planned Power outages here

Update at 11:25 a.m.:  Power to Mother Lode counties may be shut off as soon as Labor Day evening due to wildfire risk. Tuolumne County Office Of Emergency Services (OES) Coordinator Liz Peterson tells Clarke Broadcasting that she has once again been notified by the utility regarding the possible Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) slated for next week. She details, “They [PG&E] are continuing to move toward a PSPS event for Tuolumne County. If the potential for dry northeast winds continues to develop, power would be de-energized in Tuolumne County around 11 p.m. on Monday, September 7th with an estimated restoration time of 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9th.”

The PSPS impacts zone 5 and 8 that includes Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa, and Tuolumne counties, as shown in the chart and map in the previous update below. Peterson adds, “I’m am working to get more refined data from PG&E about specific locations but at this point, the PSPS will likely not affect the entirety of Tuolumne County. PG&E estimates approximately 11,100 customers would be affected and 176 critical infrastructure sites.”

An update will be provided as soon as new information comes into the news center.

Update at 5:30 a.m. a.m. Saturday: PG&E has updated the potential for a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS)  status for the Mother Lode from elevated to a “PSPS Watch” due to wildfire risks. The utility defines that as, “The company Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated for a reasonable chance of executing PSPS for public safety in a given geographic zone due to a combination of adverse weather and dry fuel conditions. A PSPS watch is typically only issued within 72 hours before the anticipated start of an event.”

The targeted days are Tuesday and Wednesday, as company officials report a wind event moving into the area on Monday night along with dry conditions and low humidity. The Mother Lode counties included in the watch are Zone 5 and 8, which include Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa, and Tuolumne. See the chart below:

An update will be provided as soon as new information comes into the newsroom.

Original post at 7 p.m. Friday: Sonora, CA – PG&E has alerted Tuolumne County officials to the possibility of a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) two days next week due to wildfire risks.

The utility points to an offshore wind event developing overnight Monday and blowing through into Wednesday along with dry conditions and low humidity. The PG&E chart and map below show that zone 5 and 8 are included in the potential power shutoff on Tuesday (Sept. 8) and Wednesday (Sept.9). Zone 5 includes Alpine, Amador and Calaveras while 8 encompasses those same Mother Lode counties along with Tuolumne and Mariposa.

Currently, the status for the outage is elevated, which the company determines as, “An upcoming event (a period of gusty winds, dry conditions, heightened risk) is being monitored for an increased potential of a PSPS event.”

Tuolumne County Office Of Emergency Services (OES) Coordinator Liz Peterson tells Clarke Broadcasting that her office received a call from PG&E late Friday warning of a potential for a PSPS. She adds, “At this point, they are still only watching the weather.”  An update will be provided as soon as new information comes into the newsroom.