Parts of Bay Area face 1st weekend of possible public safety power shutoffs amid elevated fire risk

SONOMA COUNTY, Calif. (KGO) -- Fire weather danger is happening across much of the Bay Area this weekend as high winds hit the region.

Firefighters have already responded to a small wildfire in the North Bay on Saturday. Two small fires broke out in San Jose Friday afternoon as dry and windy conditions created an elevated fire risk.

And PG&E says it will likely be cutting power to customers in several counties in an effort to prevent fires. We could see the first of PG&E's planned power outages starting Sunday.

"We're monitoring the weather very carefully," said PG&E spokesperson Tamar Sarkissian.

PG&E says with these conditions, it's likely they could have public safety power shutoffs in parts of the East and North Bays.

"We only do these when we see multiple elements coming together. Things like high winds, low humidity, lots of dry debris on the ground," said Sarkissian.

The outages are expected to hit several counties across the Bay Area.

Areas that could be impacted include:

• Parts of Contra Costa County, east of San Ramon and south of Brentwood


• Areas northwest of Vacaville in Solano County


• Some small pockets in Northern Napa and Sonoma Counties

MORE: Cal Fire prepares for potentially active 2026 California wildfire season

The National Weather Service has put out a Red Flag Warning, calling on communities to be prepared for potential fire.

Crews responded Saturday morning to a vegetation fire west of Lake Sonoma. CAL FIRE said Saturday's winds reignited a smoldering burn pile from back in April, setting the stage for a string of Red Flag Warning days ahead.

"Although the Red Flag warning is primarily in the Sacramento Valley east of the Bay Area, areas like Santa Rosa are experiencing strong gusty winds and lower humidities, and it's increasing our potential for fire activity locally," said Paul Lowenthal, division chief of the Santa Rosa Fire Department.

Lowenthal said, during this time of year, fires could pop up anywhere. He said his crew has been getting ready for fire season for weeks now.

But with some potentially tough months ahead, he's reminding the public they need their help too.

"This time of year we typically ask people to be in preparation for fire season: weed abatement, vegetation management, defensible space," Lowenthal said.

And while preparation is key, this weekend does come with another warning . . .

"This is not the weekend to be doing those (fire-risk) types of activities. There's potential a spark could create a wind-driven fire and that's a concern this weekend."

Forecasts say a developing El Nino event this summer could trigger a harsher fire season than normal across California.

MORE: El Niño expected to develop soon; models predict it could be strongest on record

"It is a constant driving back and forth. You see the warnings, the signals from orange to red, so it's scary," said Sergio Howland, who lives near Santa Rosa. "It is kind of a constant thing in our minds."

A local hardware store -- also in fire season preparation mode -- stocked up on supplies, carrying everything from water pumps to hoses.

"I think the Tubbs Fire was the start of it. Everyone was shocked by what that did," said Allen Henderson, owner of ACE Hardware in Larkville. "And much more prepared for Kincaid Fire. And now I think you find people are much more prepared."

No matter what happens though, Lowenthal says he and his colleagues will be there to keep everyone safe.

"You always hear, you know, what's the fire season going to be like this year? Or is this going to be the worst fire season? And, really, until the season's over you never really know how it's going to end up."