Public safety shutoffs begin in Northern California

(FOX40.COM) — Pacific Gas and Electric customers in several Northern California counties may have woken up Tuesday morning to find themselves without power.

The nearly state-wide utility provider is conducting its first Public Safety Power Shutoff events of the year due to the increased chance of wildfires.

A PSPS event can be triggered by a combination of factors like low humidity levels, strong and steady winds, dry vegetation and the issuance of a Red Flag warning.

PG&E says that the purpose of these PSPS events is to reduce the possibility of energized power lines sparking and catching surrounding vegetation on fire.

The counties currently affected by the PSPS events are Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Shasta, Solano and Tehama counties.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.