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October 9, 2019

800,000 Californians Face Blackouts as PG&E Cuts Power Amid Wildfire Fears
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California's largest utility company, PG&E, says it's begun shutting off
electricity to 800,000 customers, as dry, windy conditions have
increased the threat of wildfires in 34 of the state's northern and
central counties. The unprecedented blackouts follow last year's
devastating Camp Fire, which killed 85 people - the deadliest blaze in
California history. Investigators found that poorly maintained PG&E
transmission lines sparked that fire last November. Climate scientists
say hotter and drier conditions across California due to rising
greenhouse gas emissions have made wildfires more widespread and more
intense.


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