PG&E issues 'all clear' in some areas after power was shut off in 36 counties

GLEN ELLEN, Calif. - PG&E began to shut off power on Sunday morning to homes in 36 counties in what was forecasted to be the largest public safety power shutoff this year. 

The utility said its meteorologists began issuing the "weather all clear" on Monday morning for some areas impacted by the shutoff. 

"PG&E has begun restoring power to customers in some areas where it is safe to do so and expects to restore power to the remaining customers impacted by this PSPS event throughout the day on Monday and continue into Tuesday, with a majority of the customers restored by late Tuesday evening," the utility said in a release.

An estimated 355,000 customers throughout the state had their power shut off, including 133,000 in the Bay Area. Kern and San Joaquin counties were removed from the scope of this PSPS event on Monday afternoon. 

The utility said they consider three factors when deciding whether to initiate a power shutoff.

That’s low humidity, high fuel load on the ground, and winds stronger than 45 miles per hour. 

PG&E de-energizes lines to prevent any equipment that may be damaged by the wind from sparking a fire.

PG&E crews were called to the San Jose foothills on Monday morning for a possible hazard, where the wind was very strong but where power was pre-emptively shut off. 

Residents in Glen Ellen, Sonoma County started their generators preparing for a long night.

They said losing power is a pain, but it’s better than a fire.

 "We don't want another big fire," the resident said. "We don't want to be in the same situation we were in 2017, so we're glad they shut the power if they feel it's going to make us safer."

In the East Bay, portions of Lafayette will remain without power overnight. Inspections of their power lines are expected to begin Tuesday morning. 

Some Dublin neighborhoods will not have power restored until Tuesday. Residents are being told to treat stoplights without power as four-way stops.