The Creek Fire forced the closure of a 915-megawatt hydropower station in Madera County. And a wildfire damaged Southern California transmission lines that were carrying hundreds of additional kilowatts.
Problems in the power grid into triple digits
The triple-digit temperatures are breaking records, and the heatwave continued to engulf most of California on Labor Day.
Temperatures in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles reached record temperatures two days in a row with a high of 121 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday.
The exceptionally high temperatures were driving the highest power use of the year and transmission losses due to wildfires are an additional problem.
Eric Schmitt of the California Independent System Operator that manages the state’s power grid said up to 3 million customers are at risk of losing power.
Cal-ISO was projecting a 4,000-megawatt shortfall and urged people to conserve electricity by not using appliances and keeping air conditioners at 78 degrees or above.
Pacific Gas & Electric, the state’s largest utility, warned customers that it may have to cut the power back starting Tuesday. High winds are anticipated and the excessive heat could create an even greater fire hazard.
