Saddleridge Fire Leads to Massive Power Outage in California; PG&E Hopeful of Restoring Electricity at Earliest
In the far south of the state, San Diego Gas & Electric warned 30,000 customers living in high-risk areas they could potentially lose their power if conditions worsen. Meanwhile firefighting planes and helicopters were called in to tackle a fire east of Los Angeles which spread to 500 acres (200 hectares), and was described by officials as not contained.
Los Angeles, October 11: The Saddleridge blaze, which sparked off in a one-acre land in Sylmar and and is rapidly spreading towards Los Angeles, led to massive power outages across California. The Pacific Gas & Electricity (PG&E), the nodal electricity-supplying firm in the province, is hopeful of restoring current at several household at the earliest. Wildfire Fire Chars More Than 1,600 Acres in Sylmar, Thousand Evacuated.
According to the PG&E, 90 per cent of the customers in Contra Costa County will have their power restored by 6pm (local time). In South Bay County, 94 per cent of the households will get electricity supply back by Saturday, said officials.
By the time this report was published, the PG&E had succeeded in restoring electricity in over half of its supply units in Northern and Central California, the company claimed. "About 426,000 out of a total 738,000 customers have been restored, including full restoration in Humboldt, Siskiyou and Trinity counties," said the press release issued by PG&E, adding that over 312,000 customers still remain without power.
Update by Los Angeles Police Department:
In the far south of the state, San Diego Gas & Electric warned 30,000 customers living in high-risk areas they could potentially lose their power if conditions worsen. Meanwhile firefighting planes and helicopters were called in to tackle a fire east of Los Angeles which spread to 500 acres (200 hectares), and was described by officials as not contained.
Urban Los Angeles itself was not expected to be at risk, although police Wednesday night said they would clear some vulnerable homeless camps. Several other small fires were reported further north but quickly tackled by firefighters.
(With PTI inputs)
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 12, 2019 12:21 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).