Peninsula residents prepare for fire season after downed power line

Pebble Beach residents witnessed a fire on Thursday night. A large tree fell and knocked down a power line, sparking the fire.

“I went outside to look and see what was going on and I saw the fire,” Tom Paolucci, Pebble Beach resident, said.

He watched the flames from his doorstep.

“I thought it was pretty ironic that the big fire is happening in Sonoma right now, and they cut power there,” Paoluccis said. “That may end up happening here soon.”

Power shutoffs are predicted to happen in areas of Monterey County over the weekend. PG&E is planning them in an effort to reduce fire risk as winds pick up speed.

“I think it’s a nuisance,” Neil Rudo, Monterey resident, said. “I think it’s dangerous because there are people dependent on food, health and safety by having power.”

Paolucci said he would rather be safe than sorry.

“I was expecting it to happen,” Paolucci said. “I don’t want it to. I think we’re ready if it does.”

Paolucci purchased a generator in anticipation of an outage, but it would only power the house for about ten hours.

“It’d be nice if they could do it selectively, but if there’s a fire risk it’s worth shutting it off,” Paolucci said.

Residents can check a map on the PG&E website to see if their neighborhoods will be affected.

KION 2019