Raccoon Triggers Brief Power Outage for 2,400 in Vandenberg Village
A raccoon made contact with powerlines early this morning, causing a brief outage for about 2,400 customers. Power was restored in under 40 minutes.
About 2,400 PG&E customers in the Vandenberg Village area lost power briefly early this morning after a raccoon made contact with powerlines. The outage began around 2 a.m. and power was restored by approximately 2:37 a.m.
The quick restoration was thanks to Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings, a system that shuts off power within one-tenth of a second when a hazard is detected on the lines. This technology is designed to prevent sparks that could start wildfires.
More Outages Possible This Fall
PG&E warns that customers may experience more brief outages in the coming weeks as wildfire season peaks. The Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings are not always active, but become more common in September and October when vegetation is driest and fire risk is highest.
Because the system works so quickly, the utility cannot notify customers in advance of these safety-related outages. However, PG&E says the settings are a critical tool for keeping communities safe by preventing wildfire ignitions before they start.
For more information about whether your area is covered by Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings, visit PG&E's website or check out local news updates.
Facts via KSBY.
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