- State of California
Both Northern and Southern California are still facing severe wildfires that are causing mandatory level 1 evacuations along with many power outages to PG&E customers.
California Governor Gavin Newsom stated
"There are 330 fires in the last 20hrs"
Newsome has also declared a state of emergency for the entire state. In response the state of Washington is sending aid to the lower west coast from 31 different districts with Spokane and Stevens county assisting from the far eastern portion of the state.
Southern California
The Getty Fire burning in Los Angeles County near Belair has opened and shut down the 405 freeway along with several Level 1 evacuations to affected residents. Weather has played a huge role in how big and fast the wildfires grow to. Southern California has been under an extreme red flag warning and will continue to be under one till Thursday the latest. An Extreme Red Flag Warning is calling for humidities below 5% and wind gusts sustained around 70mph (112.65km/h).
The Getty Fire broke out and began burning on a hill around 1:30 a.m. Monday Oct. 28th adjacent to the 405 Freeway at Getty Center Drive near the Getty Center museum.
It quickly exploded to 618 acres by noon. By Monday evening, officials said the good news was the fire had not increased in size and it was estimated at 5% containment.
"It remains where it is in place with amazing muscle and work coming from our fire crews that are out there right now," Mayor Eric Garcetti said.
Most of the evacuations that were ordered throughout the day Monday were expected to stay in place overnight and possibly through Tuesday night. The exception was the Mountaingate community located south of Mulholland and north of the burn area, which was changed to a voluntary evacuation meaning residents could return if they chose.
"You should be prepared for two nights at least that the majority of folks will be out of their homes," Garcetti said.
Los Angeles Unified School District campuses in the area were also expected to remain closed Tuesday. There were more than 1,100 fire personnel fighting the blaze. The California Highway Patrol said homes in the area were being threatened and the southbound side from the 101 Freeway to Sunset Boulevard was shut down, as well as all off-ramps on the northbound side between Sunset Boulevard and Mulholland Drive. The Getty Museum was not in danger from the flames, officials said.
Northern California
- San Francisco
PG&E confirms a third round of planned power outages will being Tuesday, Oct. 29, affecting parts of 29 counties and electric service for up to 596,000 customers. For some cities in Northern California including parts of the Bay Area, power could go out as early as 4:30 am.
It is possible that some of the same customers impacted by the Oct. 26 shutoff will be impacted by this one as well. For customers who are restored between events, PG&E urges them to use the time to charge any medical equipment, phones and other electronic devices and restock emergency kits.
The utility says it has discovered 50 incidents of damages from down poles and wires to trees falling into their facilities.
"Any one incident could be a catastrophic incident," and "we will not roll dice when it comes to public safety," PG&E said.
After issuing a weather "all-clear" the previous round of outages, PG&E says about 6,000 team members went out to inspect lines and restore power to customers. Moraga Police Department says power has been restored to the city, and residents of Oakland's Hiller Highlands neighborhood report electricity is working in their homes. Power is back on for parts of Lafayette and San Leandro as well, according to their police departments.
PG&E, however, is warning of yet another "strong and widespread wind event" to sweep through the Bay Area Tuesday into midday Wednesday. The utility may have to cut off the power to 35 California counties for that event.
At least 500,000 customers were notified on Sunday about the next round of potential outages. PG&E said power would be turned off in seven phases, but that times may change depending on weather conditions.