As California’s drought accelerates the start of the wildfire season, pressures intensify on PG and E to prevent more of the massive blazes they’ve been blamed for in recent years that have also driven them into bankruptcy. Spokeswoman Megan McFarland says they’ve actually been taking preventive measures year-round…

click to listen to Megan McFarland

And McFarland says PG and E has now added another factor into their decision-making process for implementing Public Safety Power Shutoffs. In addition, to strong north winds, dry vegetation, low humidity, and Red Flag warnings, the significant presence of trees tall enough to be within striking distance of a power line is also now taken into consideration. As for the upcoming extreme June heat, no such warnings are expected. But she says there is the potential for unplanned power outages, especially transformer failures…

click to listen to Megan McFarland

PG and E has also been putting more helicopters in the air earlier this season, as a way to practice for PSPS events.