5 wildfire and planned power outage tips for California residents

In an effort reduce the likelihood of wildfires in California, power companies are planning power outages when weather conditions appear to be dangerous. In the event of extreme temperatures and high winds, California residents can expect that there may be a planned power outage.

With the frequency of planned power outages increasing, homeowners in California are calling for more information and resources. These include: How will I know if my power will be shut off? When will the power outage occur? How long will the power be out? What are essentials during a blackout? What can I do to prepare?

These are the frequent questions that California residents have been asking recently. Fortunately, there are tools out there to assist you with these uncertainties. Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) provides power to over 16 million residences in California. Here are a few of the resources they have available.

Prepare for a Planned Power Outage in California

Planned power outages are a relatively new concept. The idea of having your power preemptively turned off is different than preparing for the unexpected power outage. Fortunately, we make preparation for a planned power outage easy for you. Start now to prepare for a power outage and download the ultimate checklist.

Check Current Power Outages in California

If you live in California, this outage map tool is for you. This tool allows you to view a map that provides real time information about current outages. The map shows outages by city, county or zip code and will provide the preliminary cause, status, start time and estimated restoration time. If you have lost power, you can also report your outage. 

Power Outage Notifications for Californians

If you want to stay up to date on the latest power outage information, you can sign up for notifications here. PG&E will let you know the cause of the power outage, when power crews are on their way and estimated restoration time. 

Financial Compensation for Power Outages

If your power is out for an extended duration, you may qualify for financial compensation. The Safety Net program offers payments to customers who are without power for more than 48 hours. Payments may vary depending on the length of the power outage.

Wildfire Safety

Increased wildfire concerns call for enhanced and expanded safety efforts. Reducing risks related to the cause of wildfires is something anyone can commit to. Head to this site for safety webinars, power outage readiness, and information about backup power.

Awareness to these resources in the state of California is crucial for PG&E customers. The more you know about planned power outages and the effects of wildfires, the more you can prepare to keep your home and family safe.

If you’re looking for further piece of mind, consider a power generator for your house. A home generator can provide backup power in case of an unexpected or planned power outage. Cummins home generators are extremely quiet, aesthetically pleasing and remotely accessible.