Californians urged them to conserve energy to avoid a major power outage Wednesday when a heat wave hit the northern part of the state, triggering warnings that lightning, thunderstorms and dry vegetation could cause fires.
The heatwave was severe inland, mainly in the Central Valley, with temperatures reaching 105 degrees Celsius (40 degrees Celsius) in places. The risk of fires was concentrated in the northern states.
The California Autonomous System Operator, which manages the state's electrical grid, has requested voluntary power supply starting at 4:00 pm. By 9pm, when most people are said to go home to turn on the air conditioner, turn on the lights, and use the appliances. Late afternoon and early evening are the times when the grid is most stressed due to high demand, while solar energy production decreases.
Authorities have called for voluntary power outages to avoid power outages in recent years. Last year, the Pacific Gas and Electric Company cut electricity to about 37,000 people in central and northern California. Strong winds have cut down trees, overturned power lines, set fires and forced people to flee their homes.
Sacramento County has opened police stations, libraries, and other government offices for people seeking refuge from the triple-digit climate. A separate cooling center, where people can grab water and snacks and access electrical outlets to charge their phones, will remain open until at least Friday, said Jana Hines, a spokesperson for the Sacramento County Humanitarian Aid Agency.
"We have run our cooling centers several times this summer, and this is the worst and longest weather event we have seen so far this year," said Hines. He said social workers are going out and offering motel coupons to the most vulnerable homeless.
Tony Sainz, who oversees a group of construction workers in Sacramento, said his team of carpenters, painters and maintenance workers are working outdoors to avoid the colder temperatures. The crew members then work in their own stores, keeping the freezers full of frozen electrolyte contaminants, Sainz said.
Sainz said he's lucky his house is surrounded by trees and next to a river. He said his family keeps the air conditioner at 75 degrees (24 degrees Celsius).
Sainz said hot summers are part of life in Sacramento and something he has learned to tolerate. He said he planned to jog after work on Wednesday, even though the temperature was 97 degrees (36 degrees Celsius).
“I run in a running jacket, a refreshing T-shirt, a hat that keeps the sun out of my head and three bottles of water. I keep myself hydrated and have electrolytes, "he said.
"The heat is something I have no control over. "You can't fight it," he added.
Red flag warnings were posted on Wednesday about fire hazards in the North Coast Mountains, East Shasta County and Mount Lassen. The National Weather Service has warned of possible "massive lightning" and irregular bursts of thunderstorms.
"Lightning strikes can trigger the start of new fires, which combined with strong runoff winds can cause fires to grow rapidly in size and intensity," the Japanese Meteorological Agency said.
Read more: https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2022-08-17/californians-conserve-electricity-heat-wave-7022716.html
