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Outages Meant to Deter Wildfires Burden Rural California Counties

Associated Press

   SAN FRANCISCO - When California's largest utility warned it would cut
   power to thousands to prevent its equipment from starting wildfires
   during warm, windy weather, officials in the wealthy wine region of
   Sonoma County sprang into action.

   They declared a state of emergency and called up additional first
   responders who could direct traffic or take vulnerable residents to
   places with electricity.

   Nearly 200 miles (275 kilometers) north, officials in rural Butte
   County simply posted Pacific Gas & Electric information online about
   which neighborhoods would be affected and what to do with perishable
   food.

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