CA wildfire threats could lead PG&E to cut power to parts of nine counties

A fire warning is posted at Inspiration Point and the Nimitz Way trailhead in Tilden Regional Park near Orinda, Calif. on Saturday, June 23, 2018. A red flag warning was issued for extreme fire conditions for this week.
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A fire warning is posted at Inspiration Point and the Nimitz Way trailhead in Tilden Regional Park near Orinda, Calif. on Saturday, June 23, 2018. A red flag warning was issued for extreme fire conditions for
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Photo: Paul Chinn / The Chronicle
At-risk California counties for Wildfires

At-risk California counties for Wildfires
Photo: Getty Images
Alameda County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 13 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 77,000

Alameda County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 13 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 77,000
Photo: Getty Images
Alpine County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 88 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 1,600

Alpine County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 88 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 1,600
Photo: Stephen Saks/Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images
Amador County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 61 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 11,000

Amador County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 61 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 11,000
Photo: Buyenlarge/Getty Images
Butte County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 42 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 40,300

Butte County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 42 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 40,300
Photo: Cal Fire/ Facebook
Calaveras County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 65 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 18,100

Calaveras County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 65 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 18,100
Photo: David McNew/Getty Images
Colusa County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 14 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 1,100

Colusa County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 14 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 1,100
Photo: JIM WILSON, STF
Contra Costa County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 13 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 50,100

Contra Costa County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 13 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 50,100
Photo: Raphael Kluzniok, The Chronicle
Del Norte County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 44 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 5,000

Del Norte County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 44 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 5,000
Photo: Tom Stienstra
El Dorado County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 61 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 53,900

El Dorado County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 61 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 53,900
Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle
Glenn County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 11 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 1,200

Glenn County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 11 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 1,200
Photo: David Madison / Getty Images
Humboldt County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 44 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 27,300

Humboldt County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 44 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 27,300
Photo: Getty
Lake County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 56 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 19,800

Lake County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 56 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 19,800
Photo: Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle
Lassen County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 50 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 6,400

Lassen County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 50 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 6,400
Photo: Getty Images
Marin County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 30 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 33,700

Marin County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 30 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 33,700
Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle
Mendocino County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 59 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 23,800

Mendocino County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 59 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 23,800
Photo: Cal Fire
Modoc County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 32 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 1,600

Modoc County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 32 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 1,600
Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle
Napa County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 44 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 24,100

Napa County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 44 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 24,100
Photo: Peter DaSilva, Special To The Chronicle
Nevada County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 75 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 39,300

Nevada County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 75 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 39,300
Photo: John Hart / The Union 2017
Placer County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 24 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 37,200

Placer County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 24 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 37,200
Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle
Plumas County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 71 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 11,100

Plumas County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 71 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 11,100
Photo: Paul Kuroda / Special To The Chronicle 2017
Sacramento County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 1 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 4,800

Sacramento County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 1 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 4,800
Photo: Slobo/Getty Images
San Joaquin County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 0 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 300

San Joaquin County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 0 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 300
Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
San Francisco County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 2 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 8,300

San Francisco County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 2 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 8,300
Photo: Liz Moughon / The Chronicle
San Mateo County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 15 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 40,500

San Mateo County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 15 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 40,500
Photo: Jeff Chiu
Santa Clara County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 10 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 63,200

Santa Clara County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 10 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 63,200
Photo: Hans Blossey/Getty Images/imageBROKER RM
Santa Cruz County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 50 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 52,400

Santa Cruz County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 50 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 52,400
Photo: Kylie McLaughlin/Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images
Shasta County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 32 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 25,100

Shasta County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 32 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 25,100
Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle
Sierra County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 64 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 1,400

Sierra County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 64 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 1,400
Photo: Tom Stienstra
Siskiyou County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 54 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 13,100

Siskiyou County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 54 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 13,100
Photo: Sarahbeth Maney / Special To The Chronicle
Solano County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 3 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 4,300

Solano County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 3 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 4,300
Sonoma County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 23 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 47,600

Sonoma County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 23 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 47,600
Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle
Stanislaus County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 2 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 3,700

Stanislaus County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 2 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 3,700
Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Sutter County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 0 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 100

Sutter County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 0 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 100
Photo: Mike Kepka
Tehama County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 40 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 10,700

Tehama County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 40 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 10,700
Photo: Michael Burke/Special To The Chr
Trinity County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 81 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 7,000

Trinity County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 81 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 7,000
Photo: Caltrans District 2/Twitter
Tuolumne County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 80 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 25,100

Tuolumne County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 80 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 25,100
Photo: Tom Stienstra, Tom Stienstra / The Chronicle
Yolo County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 1 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 500

Yolo County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 1 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 500
Photo: Photos By Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle
Yuba County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 25 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 6,900

Yuba County

Percent of housing units in high to extreme risk: 25 percent
Number of housing units in high to extreme risk: 6,900
Photo: SAM DEANER, STAFF
Power transmission lines cross a street in Sonoma, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. Some customers in the region remain without power after PG&E cut electric service in hopes of preventing fires amid red flag fire warnings.
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Power transmission lines cross a street in Sonoma, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. Some customers in the region remain without power after PG&E cut electric service in hopes of preventing fires amid red
... more
Photo: Noah Berger / SFC
A sign announces that Frank Family Vineyards is closed due to a power outage on Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, in Calistoga, Calif. Many businesses in town remained closed after PG&E cut electric service in hopes of preventing fires amid red flag fire warnings.
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A sign announces that Frank Family Vineyards is closed due to a power outage on Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, in Calistoga, Calif. Many businesses in town remained closed after PG&E cut electric service in hopes
... more
Photo: Noah Berger / SFC

Photo: Paul Chinn / The Chronicle

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Caption

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A fire warning is posted at Inspiration Point and the Nimitz Way trailhead in Tilden Regional Park near Orinda, Calif. on Saturday, June 23, 2018. A red flag warning was issued for extreme fire conditions for this week.

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... more

Photo: Paul Chinn / The Chronicle

Gusty northern winds, dry vegetation and low humidity across the Bay Area have created prime circumstances for wildfires, prompting a red flag warning Wednesday and possible power shutoffs for Northern California residents.

The National Weather Service in Sacramento issued the red flag warning to take effect from Wednesday night to Friday morning in the North Bay mountains and East Bay hills. Those areas are expecting wind gusts up to 45 mph, and any fires that spark could spread rapidly. The biggest threats exist in the hills of eastern Napa County and areas around Atlas Peak, Mount Diablo and Mount Hamilton, officials said.

As a result of the warning, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. announced Tuesday that customers in parts of nine counties — Butte, Lake, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sierra, Sonoma and Yuba — may have their power preemptively cut Thursday as a safety precaution. The company sent notifications to about 70,000 customers who could be affected.

In October, PG&E made the unprecedented decision to cut power to nearly 60,000 people across 12 counties amid fears of sparking wildfires due to dry conditions.

Kathy Flamson, a clerk for the city of Calistoga, experienced the shutoff last month and said it was most inconvenient during meal times.

“We didn’t want to lose the food in the fridge,” she said. This time, Flamson said her family will use a cooler instead of relying on the refrigerator.

PG&E officials are working with first responders and local authorities to monitor weather conditions before deciding to turn off power.

POTENTIAL OUTAGE PREPARATION (11/8): Be sure you and your family are prepared for a potential Public Safety Power Shutoff in parts of (counties): Lake, Napa, Sonoma, Butte, Plumas, Yuba, Sierra, Placer and Nevada. Learn more: https://t.co/6xxPjuRajc
— PG&E (@PGE4Me) November 7, 2018

Scott McLean, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, said crews are preparing for possible wildfires by increasing staff in affected areas and making sure engines and aircraft are ready to go.

“Those in affected areas with these predicted severe winds tonight and tomorrow morning need to be ready to evacuate,” McLean said. “Have your go kits ready to go and make sure to have a full tank of gas.”

While some residents felt PG&E was evading responsibility with the shutoffs, Flamson said after the Tubbs Fire that a plan for shutting off power when conditions are unsafe was one recommendation she heard.

“Short of undergrounding all the wires, this seems like what we’ve asked PG&E to do,” she said. “It’s part of living in this area at this point. It’s our new normal.”

Ashley McBride is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ashley.mcbride@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ashleynmcb

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