PG&E Outage Affects Thousands in Wake of Severe Windstorm
June 20, 2025 – Northern California
A large-scale PG&E outage has left more than 60,000 customers without electricity across Northern California, following powerful wind gusts and heightened wildfire risk. The blackout began late Wednesday and extended into Thursday, disrupting homes, businesses, schools, and emergency services in multiple counties.
The pge outage was part of a planned safety measure known as a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), aimed at preventing wildfires caused by power lines during extreme weather. Areas affected include Sonoma, Napa, Butte, and parts of the Sierra Nevada foothills.
PG&E officials confirmed that the shutdown was triggered by wind speeds exceeding 45 mph and dry conditions that created a critical fire danger zone.
Safety Measures Trigger Widespread Disruption
PG&E spokesperson Mayra Tostado stated on Thursday morning that the company initiated the PSPS based on real-time weather models and in coordination with state fire authorities.
“We understand how difficult these outages are for our customers. The decision to cut power is never made lightly, but our priority is protecting lives and preventing catastrophic wildfires,” she said.
Inspections are now underway on more than 3,000 miles of power lines before electricity can be safely restored to affected areas.
Impact on Local Communities
In Santa Rosa, residents woke up to dark streets, closed schools, and disrupted public transportation. Hospitals and emergency shelters operated on backup generators, and grocery stores scrambled to preserve perishable goods.
“I appreciate the safety effort, but the timing caught us off guard,” said Maria Lopez, a small business owner in downtown Napa. “We lost a day of sales and had to throw away some refrigerated stock.”
Several schools in rural areas cancelled classes due to a lack of electricity and water access. Meanwhile, PG&E activated 30 community resource centers where residents could access charging stations, water, and Wi-Fi.
Emergency Services on High Alert
The California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) issued a statement urging residents in high-risk zones to remain alert. Firefighters were also placed on standby across dry foothill regions, which remain vulnerable to ignition.
“We’re working closely with PG&E and local jurisdictions to monitor the situation. These outages, while inconvenient, are part of the larger wildfire prevention strategy,” said Cal OES Director Mark Ghilarducci.
Power Restoration Timeline
PG&E estimates that restoration efforts will begin gradually by late Thursday and continue into Friday, depending on location and terrain. Field crews must inspect every de-energized line before service can resume, which slows the process.
Customers are advised to:
- Check PG&E’s outage map for real-time updates
- Prepare emergency kits with food, water, batteries, and medications
- Use flashlights instead of candles to reduce fire risk
- Operate portable generators outdoors and away from windows
Looking Ahead
The pge outage marks one of the season’s first large-scale preemptive shutoffs and serves as a reminder of California’s ongoing struggle to balance fire prevention with energy reliability. As fire season intensifies, utility companies, government agencies, and residents face continued challenges in adapting to climate-driven risks.
PG&E said it will continue to review weather conditions and may issue additional PSPS warnings if needed in the coming weeks.