California fire: Anger mounts among millions after blackouts by PG&E

Frustration and anger mounts among the people of North Carolina on October 29, which also happens to be the fourth consecutive day with no electricity after a wildfire broke out in the area. Caterer and Chef, Jane Sykes said she would have to throw away food worth $1,000 and lamented that the company, Pacific Gas & Electric 'did not think this through'. 

The company reportedly had several rounds talks before shuting down the electricity after one of its power lines malfunctioned at the same time and location where the fire was originated. This was also the third round of blackouts to protect the company's equipment from sparking wildfires due to high winds in the area leaving millions of people without power for several days. 

Read - Wildfire Forces Evacuations In Northern California

Challenges faced by people

The citizens of North Carolina worried about the batteries in their cellphones and electric vehicles, and day-to-day tasks like finding gasoline and cash, staying warm and even to prevent their food from spoiling. Reportedly, some of the people even had to put on headlamps at home and parked cars outside the garage doors which are also inoperable. The company had offered to let the affected citizens go to their centres in order to charge their devices so many people head to the places for free water, snacks, flashlights, solar lanterns. 

Read - California Fires: Pacific Gas And Electric In The Centre Of A Storm

1.5 million affected in 29 countries

The Tuesday blackouts by PG&E would affect nearly 1.5 million people among 29 countries out of which one million people are still without any electricity from a blackout during the weekend. As restorations were made by the company, people also stored up cash and filled gas. If there arises a need to evacuate, people need to be prepared. The wildfires which spread in Northern California's wine country have already forced nearly 2,000 natives to flee their homes and evacuation of nearly 40,000 residents. The blazes which consumed about 5,000 acres and destroyed an unknown number of structures had begun near the base of a high-voltage transmission tower and was damaged. 

Read - Residents Flee, Power Cut As Crews Battle California Fire

Corrective measures of the company

The company had reportedly turned off power to some customers across the region as a precaution after extreme winds and dry weather had raised the risk of wildfire. However, a utility spokeswoman told an international media that Edison had not de-energize any power for the Saddleridge fire area. In Northern California, Utility Pacific Gas and Electric Co faced increasing criticism for its own wide-scale precautionary power shutdown and poorly managed communication between both the companies. The Public Utility Commission on October 14 ordered PG&E to undertake corrective actions.  However, neither PG&E nor the commission said if the damaged tower or the malfunction of the transmission line were suspected of igniting the blaze. 

Read - Millions In California Facing More Blackouts, Fire Danger

Read - California Fire: 2,000 People Evacuated, 20,000 Without Electricity

(With AP inputs)