Fire Weather Watch Triggers Potential Power Shutoffs for Parts of Central Coast
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) - PG&E has placed nearly 10,000 customers across SLO and northern Santa Barbara counties on alert for upcoming potential Public Safety Power Shutoffs.
The utility company expects a severe dry offshore wind event to bring critical fire weather to the region starting late Wednesday evening.
The National Weather Service issued a Fire Weather Watch stretching across the southern plains from San Luis Obispo down to Santa Barbara.
The incoming weather system brings strong winds, low humidity and historically dry vegetation, creating a high risk of equipment damage and wildfire ignition.
Planned de-energizations could impact up to 8,771 customers in San Luis Obispo County and 1,100 customers in Santa Barbara County, according to PG&E figures.
In San Luis Obispo County, power shutoffs may begin as early as Thursday, Oct. 15, between 2:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
Affected areas include the city of San Luis Obispo, Atascadero, Morro Bay and surrounding unincorporated communities.
The shutoff footprint in the county includes an estimated 353 Medical Baseline customers who rely on electricity for life-support equipment.
In northern Santa Barbara County, outages are expected to begin Thursday between 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., primarily affecting unincorporated areas.
Roughly 26 Medical Baseline customers fall within the designated de-energization area.
To assist impacted communities, PG&E plans to deploy dedicated Community Resource Centers offering ADA-accessible restrooms, device charging stations, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, bottled water and snacks.
Local emergency management offices advise residents in monitoring zones to charge backup batteries, store emergency water, freeze ice packs and fill vehicle fuel tanks.
Barring changes in weather, PG&E expects the wind event to last through Saturday morning.
Once weather conditions subside, utility crews will inspect electrical infrastructure for damage, with power estimated to be fully restored across the Central Coast by 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17.
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