WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (KGO) — As winds increase in the Bay Area, approximately 16,000 PG&E customers are without power. A planned strategy by the utility to prevent fires.

“This PSPS is due to the very strong winds in combination with dry conditions and other factors that we take into account. We’ve seen wind gusts of 80 miles per hour in the North Bay, so we’re definitely seeing these elements coming together. It is for the safety of our customers,” PG said&E spokesperson Tamar Sarkissian.

In the East Bay, Oakland Battalion Chief Ryan Meineke confirmed crews are ready to deploy.

Luz Pena: “What are those problematic areas that you are currently focused on?”
Ryan Meineke: “Well, in the province, the hill areas have wind speeds of over 60 miles per hour, we have gusts going crazy up. Everywhere is of equal concern, wild cities, border areas are a concern. Our concerns are populated areas where there are evacuations and wildfires encroaching on homes and areas in the city.”

Nearly three weeks ago, almost 33 years after the Oakland Hills Firestorm, a vegetation fire broke out in the Oakland Hills, damaging two homes and forcing the evacuation of 500 residents. We spoke to one of those residents on Wednesday because there was a risk of fire.

MORE: The remaining evacuated residents of the Oakland Hills fire are allowed to return home Sunday evening

“It’s unbelievable, just the fact that our house caught fire and we’re still thinking about it catching fire again. It’s unimaginable,” said Oakland resident Phillip Cole.

This is the reality many in the East Bay live with.

“My father and his wife ran for his life in 1991 in the fire that destroyed this entire area. This community was brought together by fire, especially by the wind, and so we rebuilt it, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen again said East Bay resident Karl Strovink.

The latest wind event is a stern reminder to always be ready.

“I packed my bags and put away all valuables,” said Strovink.

One of the few things we could see on a Walnut Creek street Wednesday night was a dog lit up with green LED lights.

“We had no idea when it was coming, and all of a sudden it was like I was trying to make breakfast for my kids and everything was off,” Paige Buccine said.

Buccine, her husband and four children have had their power out almost five times since they moved to Walnut Creek in March.

Using a flashlight, Buccine showed ABC7 News where her makeshift refrigerator is located outside, which in this case is a pair of ice-filled coolers.

“My husband and I were just talking about how we feel, like we’re being held hostage because we don’t know when it’s going to happen, and literally we’re sitting with our four kids with light bulbs and flashlights everywhere,” Buccine said.

They don’t have power, but Northgate High School, which is within sight of their home, isn’t short of power at all.

“Being new to the neighborhood, I would say we’re a little more confused and interested at this point as to why this is happening in this neighborhood in particular,” she said.

From Buccine’s front yard you can see the huge tree across the street, and then the power lines beneath it.

The one thing we noticed as we walked through the neighborhood where the power went out is how dark it is, hard to see much of anything without a flashlight.

It’s one reason Buccine says they’ve been trying to get solar power.

“My husband is actually a solar engineer and we have been trying to get solar on our house, but the city has made it difficult for us to allow it,” she said.

The good news is though, PG&E says power should be available again on Wednesday, weather permitting.

“Even now it’s not windy,” said ABC7 News reporter JR Stone.

“Yeah, so it’s like where is our power now?” said Buccine.

“Well, I guess you’re right because you haven’t pulled out your hair yet?” said Stone.

“Not yet,” Buccine said, laughing.

PG&E confirmed that approximately 7,500 customers in the Bay Area were also affected by power outages. They said this was due to the wind event, not the PSPS.

The utility plans to restore power to everyone by Thursday if weather conditions improve.