Wild turkeys have been causing unexpected power outages in the small town of Cambria, SLO County, and it's a fascinating yet frustrating issue for residents and PG&E alike. The problem has been ongoing since mid-July, with frequent and unexplained outages during daylight hours. While it might seem like a strange cause, PG&E's regional communications representative, Stephanie Magallon, confirms that these outages are indeed caused by wild turkeys.
What's happening is quite intriguing. Turkeys, which can fly but not very well, often perch on power lines. When they take off, their weight causes the lines to swing and come into contact with each other. This contact triggers PG&E's enhanced powerline safety settings (EPSS), which automatically shut off power to prevent an ignition. The timing and frequency of these outages have been particularly disruptive, especially for those relying on electricity for essential needs.
The situation is made more complex by the fact that the North Coast power lines run through or near high-fire risk areas. This means that the EPSS settings, which are not always active, can be activated to shut off power within a tenth of a second after detecting hazards. PG&E's engineers are working to improve reliability and have already implemented a solution by increasing the spacing between power lines to prevent contact when birds land or take off.
This isn't the first time turkeys have caused power issues in the area. In September 2021, a turkey hit a power line, and neighbors reported similar behavior. The problem seems to be getting worse, with turkey flocks in Cambria appearing to grow larger. It's a unique challenge for PG&E, and the utility company is urging residents to be patient while they work on identifying and addressing the issue.
The story of these turkey-caused outages is a reminder of the unexpected challenges that can arise in our modern world. It's also a testament to the ingenuity and adaptability of those working to keep our power systems running smoothly. As PG&E continues to tackle this issue, it's a fascinating insight into the intersection of wildlife, technology, and infrastructure.
