Winds in Northern California have reached up to 65 miles per hour, leading to dangerous fire conditions with extremely dry air.

Northern California residents are facing widespread power outages after Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) shut off electricity across 12 counties due to dangerous Diablo winds. By Friday morning, around 13,

Thousands across California have already had their power cut due to increased wildfire risks, and many more could soon experience the safety shutoffs.

Southern California Edison is considering power safety shutoffs for more than 100,000 customers across the region Friday. Power shutoffs are considered when weather conditions lead to heightened wildfire risk.

Gusts reaching up to 50 mph could hit some areas on Friday afternoon through the night, according to the National Weather Service.

Southern California Edison announced it may shut off power as early as Friday morning in case of hazardous conditions.

PG&E in recent years has imposed planned power shutoffs in the face of dire wildfire weather. The utility company’s equipment has been blamed for sparking some of the worst fires in state history, including the 2018 Camp Fire that devastated Paradise, and PG&E Corp. has been found liable for billions of dollars worth of destruction.

During a diablo wind, the air is so dry that relative humidity levels plunge, drying out vegetation and making it ready to burn.