About 13,000 customers in Northern California woke up without electricity Friday after Pacific Gas and Electric shut off power to prevent its equipment from sparking wildfires amid dry weather and str

PG&E initiated a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) for 159 customers east of Santa Maria on Friday morning. The power was shut off at 8:18 a.m., according to the utility company. PG&E says the action was taken to help prevent a wildfire during a period of high winds and dry weather.

PG&E is warning that up to 28,000 customers across several counties may need to have their power shut off for safety reasons starting Thursday because of dry and windy weather conditions that pose a risk of sparking and spreading wildfires.