PG&E power shutdown affecting thousands in Hayward hills, Fairview Fire Protection District

HAYWARD, Calif., Oct. 10, 2019— Pacific Gas and Electric Co. shutoff power to 1,400 residences in the Hayward hills and 2,000 in Fairview Fire Protection District shortly before midnight Wednesday as part of the utility’s sweeping strategy of de-energizing transmission and distribution lines to avoid sparking fires during risky weather conditions.

In response, the City of Hayward has increased and pre-positioned firefighter, police and emergency-dispatch staffing levels, and opened a cooling and device-charging center at City Hall.  Some pre-positioned firefighters were dispatched to help fight a fire in the hills around Moraga in Contra Costa County.

Hayward and Fairview Fire Protection District residents are invited to call (510) 583-4949 and visit www.hayward-ca.gov/psps online for up-to-date information on the wind event and power outages.  Due to anticipated increased service demand, residents are urged to avoid calling 911 except in an emergency.

PG&E began its “Public Safety Power Shutoffs” on Tuesday and estimated they would affect more than 800,000 customers in 30 northern, central, coastal California counties, including Alameda, Contra Costa, Napa and Sonoma in the Bay Area.

The wind event, combined with high temperatures and low humidity, that prompted the action is forecast to subside across the Bay Area by midnight tonight.  However, PG&E has advised the City that it could take up to five days to have power restored to all affected areas across the state.

The City’s cooling and device-charging center has been established in the rotunda of City Hall, 777 B Street.  It will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. until no longer needed.

A second Hayward center has been established by Hayward Area Recreation and Park District at San Felipe Community Center, 2058 D Street.  It also is scheduled to be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The non-emergency telephone line, (510) 583-4949, and website, www.hayward-ca.gov/psps, have been established by the City as additional informational resources due to failures users have experienced trying access PG&E’s online information.