Pacific Gas & Electric began restoring power Thursday to some of the 120,000 people it intentionally blacked out to ease the risk of catastrophic wildfires.
The utility said about 10,000 customers — or 25,000 people — had power restored and the rest should have their lights back on by evening.
The nation’s largest utility cut power Wednesday in parts of 10 Northern California counties because of concerns that dry, windy weather could throw debris into power lines, causing them to spark and ignite tinder-dry brush. PG&E equipment has caused some of California’s most destructive wildfires in recent years.
Higher humidity, cloud cover and even some rain showers this week in the Sierra Nevada helped reduce the current risk, said Scott Strenfel, principal meteorologist for PG&E.