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Just to provide some context, there was a pretty big fire in Southern California[1] the same week as the PG&E blackouts. The humidity across CA was really low,

Just to provide some context, there was a pretty big fire in Southern California[1] the same week as the PG&E blackouts. The humidity across CA was really low, which is just as much as a factor as the wind. On one hand, the blackouts were probably excessive, and possibly politically motivated. On the other, no major wildfires occurred in PG&E territory, but a fairly large one happened in LADWP territory[1]. PG&E is in tough spot, no one will know for certain if the blackouts actually accomplished anything, but if a wildfire occurs and they don't cut the power, then they hold the liability. https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/10/11/photos-saddleridge-fire-kills-2-displaces-100000/ https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/10/11/photos-saddleridge-fi...

gnicholas 7y ago
> The humidity across CA was really low It was 40-50 percent near Palo Alto, including in areas where power was cut. That’s actually relatively high by California standards.
lugg 7y ago
> nursing homes and other critical services scrambled to find backup power and even government agencies calling the company were put on hold for hours I would say they accomplished a whole damn lot. People are going to be a million times more prepared for the next one. Nursing homes being without a power backup is an unnaceptable state of affairs. The amount of people that seemed utterly lost about what to do without power is disturbing. People should be more prepared. Especially given last year's events. It's rediculous people are blaming PG&E for this. I think they're an awful company but they made the right call here and seem to be acting amicably. A short notice and smooth event was basically impossible given that even government agencies don't know the right numbers to call.
newnewpdro 7y ago
A day of high humidity isn't going to do a damn thing to prevent fires when it hasn't rained for many months. Outside of the wet season, much of California is a desiccated tinderbox.

gnicholas 7y ago

> The humidity across CA was really low It was 40-50 percent near Palo Alto, including in areas where power was cut. That’s actually relatively high by California standards.

lugg 7y ago

> nursing homes and other critical services scrambled to find backup power and even government agencies calling the company were put on hold for hours I would say they accomplished a whole damn lot. People are going to be a million times more prepared for the next one. Nursing homes being without a power backup is an unnaceptable state of affairs. The amount of people that seemed utterly lost about what to do without power is disturbing. People should be more prepared. Especially given last year's events. It's rediculous people are blaming PG&E for this. I think they're an awful company but they made the right call here and seem to be acting amicably. A short notice and smooth event was basically impossible given that even government agencies don't know the right numbers to call.

newnewpdro 7y ago

A day of high humidity isn't going to do a damn thing to prevent fires when it hasn't rained for many months. Outside of the wet season, much of California is a desiccated tinderbox.