UPDATE 6/8 at 3:30pm:

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) today announced that the company will turn off power to approximately 26,900 customers in the Sierra Foothills Saturday night.

Public Safety Power Shutoff Being Executed for Sierra Foothills at Approximately 9:00 p.m. PG&E will be contacting customers soon by phone, email and text. Forecasts for the extreme weather conditions are expected to last through noon on Sunday, June 9.

Areas where power will be shut off:
Nevada County: Portions of Auburn, Grass Valley, Smartville, Rough and Ready, Penn Valley. Find out if you are in the power shutoff area from the map for the Sierra Foothills on PG&E's website here: pge.com/pspsupdates.

PG&E will be opening a Customer Response Center with water, air conditioning, charging stations, and customer care staff tomorrow from 8am to 6pm at Sierra College in Grass Valley (250 Sierra College Drive, Grass Valley).

ORIGINAL:

Parts of Western Nevada County have been issued a Red Flag Warning, the highest alert for fire danger, by the National Weather Service (NWS) starting at 6:00 a.m. Saturday, June 8th, through 5:00 p.m. Sunday, June 9th. Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) has issued notice that they might be proactively turning power off for safety and conducting a Public Safety Power Shutoff in several Northern California counties; including portions of Auburn, Grass Valley, Smartville, Rough and Ready, and Penn Valley in Nevada County; within the next 18 to 36 hours.

Always take the following precautions on a Red Flag Warning day:

• Be prepared for the possibility of a Public Utility Power Shutoff. Have food, lighting, water, and charged batteries that will last for several days. 
• Never burn on a Red Flag Warning day.
• Park your vehicle towards the roadway and load your Go Bag. Prepare for quick evacuation. 
• Know how to open your garage if power is unavailable. 
• Be sure you have a full tank of gas. 
• Keep pets nearby. 
• Have a plan to transport large animals and livestock. 
• Always check towing equipment and eliminate dragging hazards. 
• Do not mow or trim dry grass. 
• Do not use equipment outdoors that may create a spark. 
• Never park on dry grass.
   
  Find Current Weather Conditions and Warnings from NWS Sacramento

PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoffs

For the Sierra foothills, there is the potential for a Public Safety Power Shutoff affecting about 21,000 customers starting around 9 p.m. on Saturday with the peak period of fire risk lasting until 10 a.m. on Sunday.

Areas where power might be shut off:

Nevada County: Portions of Auburn, Grass Valley, Smartville, Rough and Ready, Penn Valley

If you live in these communities, PG&E will attempt to contact you via telephone, text and email.

Public Safety Power Shutoff Criteria

No single factor drives a Public Safety Power Shutoff, as each situation is unique. PG&E carefully reviews a combination of many criteria when determining if power should be turned off for safety. These factors generally include, but are not limited to:

A Red Flag Warning declared by the National Weather Service

• Low humidity levels, generally 20 percent and below
• Forecasted sustained winds generally above 25 mph and wind gusts in excess of approximately 45 mph, depending on location and site-specific conditions such as temperature, terrain and local climate
• Condition of dry fuel on the ground and live vegetation (moisture content
• On-the-ground, real-time observations from PG&E’s Wildfire Safety Operations Center and observations from PG&E field crews

As part of these preparedness efforts, PG&E is asking customers to:

• Update their contact information at pge.com/mywildfirealerts or by calling 1-866-743-6589 during normal business hours. PG&E will use this information to alert customers through automated calls, texts, and emails, when possible, prior to, and during, a Public Safety Power Shutoff.
• Plan for medical needs like medications that require refrigeration or devices that need power.
• Identify backup charging methods for phones and keep hard copies of emergency numbers.
• Build or restock your emergency kit with flashlights, fresh batteries, first aid supplies and cash.
• Keep in mind family members who are elderly, younger children and pets. Information and tips including a safety plan checklist are available at pge.com/wildfiresafety.

Read PG&E’s Full News Release Here

About Ready Nevada County

Ready Nevada County represents the multifaceted stakeholder effort coordinated by the County of Nevada to raise awareness and mobilize the community to prevent and prepare for wildfire. We are working to expand Nevada County’s wildfire readiness through increased planning, strategic partnerships, improved communication, and ongoing public engagement. 

When you see this logo, know that you are getting the best information about steps you can take to prevent wildfire and prepare for a potential emergency. These resources have been compiled through the collaborative efforts of county officials, local and state agencies, first responders, nonprofits, and community leaders.

www. ReadyNevadaCounty.org