Pacific Gas and Electric has announced that it may turn off power to some parts of California on Monday to reduce the risk of power lines sparking a wildfire.
As of Sunday afternoon, UC Santa Cruz and its sites within Monterey and Santa Clara counties are not expected to be affected by the possible power outages.
The planned power outage is expected to affect areas in the following counties: Alameda, Butte, Colusa, Contra Costa, Fresno, Glenn, Kern, Kings, Lake, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Plumas, San Benito, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Shasta, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tehama, and Yolo.
The National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings—indicating an increased risk of extreme fire danger—for the Santa Cruz mountains and parts of the Bay Area. The warning is in effect until 8 p.m. Monday.
The wildfire danger to our campus is real and potentially devastating, as current dry conditions have created an explosive environment. The campus fire-danger is currently rated high. We must do our part to prevent a repeat of last summer’s devastating fire. Anyone who smells smoke or sees a fire should immediately dial 911.
Campus leaders continue to monitor the situation, and the UCSC Office of Emergency Services has been in close communication with PG&E officials.
UC Santa Cruz will update the campus community should the situation change.
Outage planning
PG&E has assembled some online resources that explain a Public Safety Power Shutoff, how best to prepare for one, and what areas might be affected.
