Twenty-two thousand Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) customers across the Bay Area lost power on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2024.
According to PG&E, the high-speed winds caused the company to shut down power that morning in Alameda County, Colusa County, Contra Costa County, Glenn County, Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County, San Mateo County, Stanislaus County, and Tehama County.
High-speed winds can cause downed power lines and when they touch equipment or vegetation, they can result in rapid wildfires.
“The wildfire season has lengthened in many areas due to factors including warmer springs, longer summer dry seasons, and drier soils and vegetation,” said Christina Bergamini, an Environmental Protection Specialist at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Winds in the East Bay were 40 to 50 miles per hour, but according to Elizabeth Yu, a junior at Mission San Jose High School living in the forecasted area, it felt stronger than expected.
“On Monday, walking around school was actually a challenge since it threw me off balance,” Yu said.
However, the maximum wind gusts in other parts of the Bay Area, like Santa Rosa, were 80 miles per hour on Wednesday, with a maximum wind gust of 88 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
While the power did not go out for some people, they experienced other issues.
“The internet has been pretty choppy lately. It was okay, just kind of annoying to work when I kept disconnecting,” Yu said.
The power returned by Nov. 7 at 2 p.m., but many are still concerned about the fire risks.
“I think it is good to take a little time and effort to be more cautious about fires, especially since we’re in a dry season right now,” Yu said.
According to Lamont Bain, a Science and Operations Officer with the National Weather Service (NWS) Bay Area, the Bay Area receives minimal to no rainfall during summer. This leads to dry vegetation, otherwise known as “fuels,” that dry out further as the season progresses. By fall and early winter, dry fuels become increasingly flammable, setting the stage for extreme fire danger.
“One of the main drivers of wildfire risk in the Bay Area during these seasons is the occurrence of strong offshore wind events,” Bain said. “This combination of dry fuels, low humidity, and high winds creates ideal conditions for fast-spreading wildfires, especially in mountainous areas.”
When there are periods of time with high risks of fires, meteorologists issue Red Flag Warnings to alert the public of critical fire weather conditions and prepare for potential wildfire evacuations.
According to Bergamini, wildfires can be intensified by climate change. However, a direct link between climate change and dry humidity is unknown.
“Climate change has the potential to modulate the vigor of various weather phenomena. It can also increase the intensity of drought, which can translate to drier than normal fuels,” said Roger Gass, the lead forecaster for the NWS Bay Area.
To stay safe from fires, it is helpful to clear brush away from homes and put together an emergency supply kit in advance.
“If you are close to a wildfire, the fire, heavy smoke, and ash can pose serious, immediate risks to safety and health. Families should be prepared to evacuate immediately if told to do so,” Bergamini said.
