Information for government agencies, first responders and critical facilities
In advance of or during a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) event, potential outage maps will be available to download on this page. Map files will include PDF, KMZ and shapefiles. For more information, review the frequently asked questions below.
PSPS address lookup tool Enter an address to get the most accurate information about the location.
PSPS area map : Get a general view of the impacted area (not address specific).
For the latest updates, visit the PSPS event page.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How frequently will the maps be updated?
A: Maps will be updated on an as-needed basis depending on weather conditions.
Q: How will I know if maps have been updated or the PSPS event scope has changed?
A: The PSPS maps related to a specific event will be updated on an as-needed basis depending on weather conditions. Please check back regularly for the most updated information.
Q: On the PSPS planning maps, what does the yellow/blue highlighting indicate?
A: The areas highlighted in yellow (PDF) or blue (GIS) are those that are more likely to be turned off for safety when gusty winds and dry conditions, combined with a heightened fire risk, are forecasted to threaten a portion of the electric system. The planning maps show areas served by distribution and lower-voltage transmission-level (70kV and below) lines that pass through elevated (Tier 2) or extreme (Tier 3) fire-threat areas as designated by the California Public Utilities Commission. Because the energy system relies on power lines working together to provide electricity across cities, counties and regions, any of PG&E's more than five million electric customers could have their power shut off, even if they do not live or work in an area experiencing high winds or other extreme weather conditions.
Q: On the PSPS planning maps, what does it mean if my community is shown in white?
A: The areas in white are those that are less likely to be turned off for safety when gusty winds and dry conditions, combined with a heightened fire risk, are forecasted to threaten a portion of the electric system serving their community. Because the energy system relies on power lines working together to provide electricity across cities, counties and regions, any of PG&E's more than five million electric customers could have their power shut off, even if they do not live or work in an area experiencing high winds or other extreme weather conditions.
Q: How can I see my specific address?
A: The PSPS planning maps do not include the functionality to look up a street address. When the public is notified of a potential PSPS event (before an actual shutoff), use the Potential PSPS address-lookup tool to look up the status of a street address. During an actual event (once power is shutoff), visit the current outages map.
Q: What is a Geographic Information System (GIS)?
A: GIS is a system that integrates many types of data that are designed to capture, manage, analyze, and present geographic and spatial information.
Q: What is a Keyhole Markup language Zipped (KMZ) File?
A: KMZ is a file extension for a placemark file used by Google Earth. It is a compressed version of a KML (Keyhole Markup Language) file. KMZ files are zipped KML files, which make them easier to distribute with multiple users.
Q: What are shapefiles?
A: A shapefile is a simple, non-topological format for storing the geometric location and attribute information of geographic features. Geographic features in a shapefile can be represented by points, lines, or polygons (areas).
Q: What software program opens KMZ, KML and shapefiles?
A: Google Earth Pro, ESRI ArcGIS, and other GIS applications.
Q: What is a portable document format (PDF)?
A: A PDF is a file format that provides an electronic image of text and graphics that looks like a printed document and can be viewed, printed and electronically transmitted.
Q: What software program opens PDF files?
A: Adobe Reader, Adobe Acrobat or other similar applications.