A major utility company in California is once again turning the lights off on its customers.
The Pacific Gas & Electric Co. is conducting the preventive power shut-off across 18 counties in response to high winds and dry conditions that could pose a fire threat. Roughly 150,000 customers won't have power by the end of Wednesday.
Because the winds are expected to be so strong, the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for parts of Northern and central California. That's the highest fire-risk alert it can issue.
Meteorologists say the high winds are expected to clear by mid-morning on Thursday. And PG&E hopes to begin restoring power shortly after that happens.
PG&E conducted three separate preventive power shut-offs last month. California officials have continuously criticized the shut-offs, calling them mismanaged and unacceptable.
