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PG&E Activates Emergency Ops, Warns Shutoffs Across 15 Counties

5/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

PG&E activated its Emergency Operations Center and warned that power shutoffs could affect portions of 15 counties, including Alameda, Fresno, and Sonoma.
The utility says 448 of its 788 high-risk circuits now use Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings, while 30 circuits run under buffer-only settings.
A red-flag warning covered the Central Valley as winds could reach 50 mph, humidity could drop to 7 %, while two small fires sparked in San Jose on Friday.

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Story summary

PG&E activated its Emergency Operations Center and warned that power shutoffs could affect portions of 15 counties, including Alameda, Fresno, and Sonoma.
The utility says 448 of its 788 high-risk circuits now use Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings, while 30 circuits run under buffer-only settings.
A red-flag warning covered the Central Valley as winds could reach 50 mph, humidity could drop to 7 %, while two small fires sparked in San Jose on Friday.