California fire season starts with PG&E power shut-off in 5 counties

Utility Dive: The Sand Fire in California is still burning, a sign the state's disastrous wildfires represent the "new normal." While the utility power shutoff program is intended as a last resort, PG&E has had to utilize the tool twice.

In the Sierra Foothills, PG&E turned off power to about 20,500 customers in Butte and Yuba counties on Saturday night. In the North Bay, early Saturday morning, PG&E turned off power to approximately 1,700 customers in Napa, Solano and Yolo counties.

Read article