Will my power be shut off during California heat wave? How to prepare for outage
The California heat is making a comeback.
A heat wave is forecast to send temperatures soaring into the triple digits across parts of Northern California and the Central Valley this week, with highs reaching as much as 102 degrees in Sacramento.
The rising temperatures, combined with gusty winds and dry conditions, are also “increasing confidence in critical fire weather conditions” across the region.
According to the National Weather Service, a red flag warning will be in effect from 11 a.m. Wednesday through 5 p.m. Thursday for areas north of Sacramento County, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Shasta, Sutter, Yuba and Yolo counties.
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. warned that heightened fire danger could lead to public safety power shutoffs.
Here’s which California communities could be affected by power outages and how to prepare:
Why do California utility companies turn off power?
Public safety power shutoffs are used by utilities to reduce the risk of wildfires during periods of extreme weather.
According to the California Independent System Operator, utilities can turn off power when conditions such as high winds, extreme heat and dry vegetation increase the likelihood that electrical equipment could spark a wildfire.
“Utilities may temporarily turn off power to specific areas to reduce the risk of fires caused by electric infrastructure,” the California Public Utilities Commission said.
The commission granted California’s investor-owned utilities the authority to implement these shutoffs in 2012 as part of the state’s wildfire prevention efforts.
This allows utilities including San Diego Gas and Electric, PG&E, Southern California Edison, Liberty Utilities, Bear Valley Electric Service and PacifiCorp to temporarily cut power when weather conditions create a heightened wildfire threat.
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District can also institute power outages in their service areas if necessary.
Utilities consider factors such as wind speeds, humidity levels, vegetation dryness and wildfire activity when deciding whether to implement a power shutoff, according to the California Public Utilities Commission.
Will my electricity be shut off during California heat wave?
As scorching temperatures, strong winds and critical fire weather conditions move into Northern California, some residents could face power outages.
PG&E said nearly 5,000 customers across parts of eight Northern California counties could be affected by potential Public Safety Power Shutoffs this week.
The areas at risk for power shutoffs include Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Napa, Sonoma, Sutter, Tehama and Yolo counties.
Customers served by SMUD are not expected to be affected by shutoffs.
As of Tuesday, June 9, utilities including PacifiCorp, San Diego Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, Liberty Utilities and Bear Valley Electric Service had not announced any wildfire-related Public Safety Power Shutoffs.
When could power outages happen?
Residents in potentially affected areas should be prepared for possible outages between Wednesday, June 10, and Thursday, June 11, when fire weather conditions are expected to be at their most dangerous.
PG&E customers can check whether their address is included in a potential shutoff area and monitor the latest updates.
How to prepare for a power outage
If a public safety power shutoff is possible in your area, taking a few steps ahead of time can help keep your household safe and comfortable during an outage.
According to PG&E, residents who rely on medical or life-support equipment should always have a backup plan in place by making arrangements with their physician.
“If you have a generator, make sure it is fueled up, you have access to additional fuel if needed and you have necessary hookups to provide power for essential equipment,” PG&E said.
Food storage is another common concern during extended outages.
To help keep refrigerators and freezers cold, PG&E said, freeze containers of water ahead of time. A full refrigerator or freezer holds its temperature longer than one that is partially empty.
“Limit the number of times you go into these items to keep a colder temperature,” PG&E said.
PG&E also recommends:
- Keeping flashlights in easy-to-access locations.
- Stocking extra batteries.
- Fully charging cellphones, tablets and other electronic devices before an outage.
- Conserving battery life during an outage, so devices remain available for emergency alerts and updates.
- Having a supply of drinking water, non-perishable snacks, medications and other essential items readily available.
This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 12:36 PM with the headline "Will my power be shut off during California heat wave? How to prepare for outage."
