34,000 PG&E Customers Without Power Amid California Fire Risk
As of 7:37 a.m. local time on May 18, 2026, over 34,000 homes and businesses in California remain without power due to a combination of planned and unplanned outages. PG&E reported 659 outages affecting 34,322 customers, a reduction from 779 outages impacting nearly 57,500 customers late Sunday. The outages are partly due to proactive measures aimed at reducing wildfire risks, as well as unplanned disruptions caused by dry and windy conditions. Wind gusts reaching up to 50 mph (80 km/h) have heightened the risk of power lines and equipment sparking fires. The U.S. National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings across northern and central California, signaling critical fire weather conditions. 
