PG&E Power Shutoffs Hit Central Coast Amid Fire Danger Concerns
Hey everyone, just wanted to give you a quick but important update about the power situation happening across parts of the Central Coast and Northern California right now. If you've noticed your lights flickering or your devices not charging—it’s not just you. PG&E has started rolling out Public Safety Power Shutoffs, or PSPS, due to a combination of dangerously dry conditions and strong winds. It's all part of their wildfire prevention strategy, but it’s definitely causing some major disruptions for thousands of customers.
Right now, nearly 1,300 customers in parts of South Monterey County, including Salinas and areas east of Soledad and Greenfield, are experiencing outages. San Benito County’s also being hit, with just under 100 customers in the dark. And it doesn’t stop there—places like Northern San Luis Obispo County, especially east of San Miguel and around Lake Nacimiento, have also been affected. Across the state, we’re talking about more than 9,000 customers who could be impacted through the weekend.
The reasoning behind this? PG&E is trying to reduce the risk of wildfires sparked by downed power lines during extreme weather conditions. High winds, dry vegetation, and low humidity create a perfect storm for fires to ignite and spread rapidly. So, as part of their “Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings,” they’re proactively shutting off power in high-risk areas. They’ll begin restoring electricity only after inspecting lines and equipment to ensure everything is safe.
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If you’re one of the people affected, here are a few things you can do. First, check if there are local resource centers open near you—they’re offering free charging stations for phones and medical devices, along with snacks, blankets, and water. Some of these are located in Carmel Valley, Greenfield, King City, and Soledad. Also, food banks are stepping in to help replace spoiled groceries, and hotel discounts may be available if you’ve lost power—just be prepared to verify you’re a PG&E customer.
PG&E has also set up a system where you can text “PSPS” to 211-211 for information, or simply call 211 for support. It’s not ideal, but these services can really help get you through what could be a multi-day outage. Keep flashlights, batteries, and a cooler handy. And if you rely on electric-powered medical devices, check in with PG&E to see if you qualify for backup power support.
What’s more alarming is that these outages might continue or expand as conditions worsen, especially through Sunday. Counties like Alameda, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and even as far south as Santa Barbara are on high alert for more planned outages. With red flag warnings in place, the threat of wildfire remains very real.
So if you're seeing pink triangles on PG&E’s outage map or hearing those emergency alerts, know it’s all part of this fire mitigation effort. It’s frustrating, sure, but it's a reminder that we’re living through a changing climate and have to stay prepared—both for our safety and our neighbors’.
Stay safe, check in with your local resources, and keep an eye on the weather.
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