Report: PG&E begins new mass power shutoff in 18 northern and central California counties because of fire danger

California's largest power utility began shutting off power Wednesday to hundreds of thousands of people in 18 northern and central counties in the state as the region faces extreme fire weather that has lasted since October.

Empty store shelves in Grass Valey

Up to 450,000 people could be affected by the outage, according to the LA Times.
A virtually rainless fall has left brush bone-dry and forecasts called for low humidity and winds gusting at times to 55 mph.

Using a flashlight to check shelves in Paradise

The conditions have raised fears that tree branches or other debris could fall on to power lines, causing sparks that may set off catastrophic fires in the region.

Full report here.