Sign up for our daily briefing
Make your busy days simpler with Axios AM/PM. Catch up on what's new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.
Catch up on the day's biggest business stories
Subscribe to Axios Closer for insights into the day’s business news and trends and why they matter
Stay on top of the latest market trends
Subscribe to Axios Markets for the latest market trends and economic insights. Sign up for free.
Sports news worthy of your time
Binge on the stats and stories that drive the sports world with Axios Sports. Sign up for free.
Tech news worthy of your time
Get our smart take on technology from the Valley and D.C. with Axios Login. Sign up for free.
Get the inside stories
Get an insider's guide to the new White House with Axios Sneak Peek. Sign up for free.
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Want a daily digest of the top Denver news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Denver
Want a daily digest of the top Des Moines news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des Moines
Want a daily digest of the top Twin Cities news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin Cities
Want a daily digest of the top Tampa Bay news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa Bay
Want a daily digest of the top Charlotte news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Charlotte
Golden Gate Bridge during a blackout on Oct. 9. Photo: Jane Tyska/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images
Another widespread pre-emptive blackout began Wednesday for 17 California counties, as the state faces high wildfire risks that are expected to last through Thursday night, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
The big picture: PG&E's CEO Bill Johnson said last week that it could be a decade before the company has made enough improvements to its electric infrastructure to prevent these blackouts, which aim to prevent wildfires during high-wind periods and dry spells.
Where it stands: About 179,000 PG&E customers will be affected by the blackout that began Wednesday, the Washington Post reports. Shutoffs, scheduled by county, are expected to continue until 1 am local time on Thursday.
- More outages could begin on Saturday, per the Chronicle.
Go deeper: California utility says intentional blackouts could be needed for 10 years