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FINWIRES

PG&E Activates Emergency Center Ahead of California Fire Risk

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Pacific Gas and Electric (PCG) said Friday it activated its Emergency Operations Center as a dry offshore wind event raised wildfire risks across parts of Northern California for Sunday and Monday.

PG&E said dry and fair weather conditions will continue Friday with west to northwest winds staying mostly below 30 miles per hour before a low-pressure system brings stronger northerly winds over the weekend.

Wind gusts could reach 30 mph to 45 mph along the North Coast and coastal gaps Saturday, while gusts across the Sacramento Valley may range between 25 mph and 35 mph, PG&E said.

By Sunday morning, winds are expected to shift northeast with gusts reaching 35 mph to 50+ mph across the Sacramento Valley and 30 mph to 40 mph through the San Joaquin Valley.

Localized gusts could exceed 55+ mph across elevated Bay Area terrain and portions of the western Sacramento Valley, according to PG&E.

The company said winds will weaken slightly on Sunday night before isolated gusts of 20 mph to 35 mph redevelop on Monday across the Sacramento Valley and nearby terrain.

A Fire Weather Watch remains in effect from early Saturday through Monday evening across the Central Valley due to gusty winds and low humidity levels, PG&E said.

Dead fuel moisture levels are trending below normal, while lower-elevation vegetation species, including Chamise and Sagebrush, are approaching flammable conditions.

Northern Operations Predictive Services expects normal fire activity in May before conditions rise above normal from June through August as vegetation becomes more flammable, PG&E said.

Southern Operations Predictive Services expects wildfire activity across the region to remain near normal levels through August.

The utility said 448 of 788 circuits located in High Fire Risk Areas currently have Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings enabled, while another 30 buffer-only circuits also remain activated.

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