Power blackouts possible again in California

California's largest utility said on Monday that it is considering shutting off power this week to about a half million people to try and prevent wildfires ignited by electrical equipment. Pacific Gas & Electric said shutoffs in the northern part of the state could potentially begin on Wednesday and affect some 200,000 customers in 16 counties mostly in Sierra foothills and to the north of the San Francisco Bay Area.

PG&E's announcement came about 10 days after more than two million people had their lights turned off by the utility when powerful winds whipped up. The utility said any blackouts would last at least 48 hours. A huge portion of California is under high fire risk. At least six homes were damaged on Monday evening in a mountain community in inland Southern California.