LOS ANGELES — The start of an extended, potentially dangerous heat wave Tuesday has coincided with elevated fire conditions across Northern California, prompting Pacific Gas & Electric Co. to initiate the first planned power shutoffs of the year, expected to last at least through Wednesday.

PG&E, California's larger power provider, implemented the public safety power shutoffs Tuesday morning across eight counties — Butte, Colusa, Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Tehama and Yolo — "due to high winds and dry conditions," according to the utility's website. The shutoffs are meant to prevent the utility's equipment from sparking fires during dangerous conditions.

PG&E said the shutoffs early Tuesday morning affected approximately 2,000 customers. The utility said in a statement that it had "delayed the start of the planned [shutoffs] for approximately 10,000 additional customers — mostly in Glenn and Shasta counties ... due to favorable weather conditions."

The power provider is still monitoring weather, and further shutoffs are still possible.

Much of the Sacramento Valley and Bay Area mountains are under a red flag warning — issued for elevated fire risk — as well as an excessive heat warning Tuesday. The red flag alert, issued through Wednesday evening, warns of a combination of winds up to 30 mph, low humidity and hot temperatures that "can contribute to extreme fire behavior," according to the National Weather Service.

California firefighters are already battling several blazes across the state, most urgently the Basin fire, which is now burning more than 13,000 acres in the Sierra National Forest in Fresno County. It was 17% contained as of Tuesday morning, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The fire is burning not far from the Balch Camp, an isolated community where more than 150 people were evacuated due to the flames. PG&E has power infrastructure there, but a spokesperson for the utility said none of its facilities had been affected as of Tuesday morning.

Firefighters also continue to battle the Fresno Lightning Complex blaze, which has remained at about 10,600 acres the last few days and was 86% contained, as of Tuesday morning.

"The extremely hot weather dries out plant material, increasing the risk of wildfire," Cal Fire warned on social media. "Avoid activities that could spark a wildfire, such as parking on dry grass, dragging chains, or using equipment during the hottest parts of the day. Remember, one less spark means one less fire."

The most dangerous fire weather should last only through midweek, but officials are warning that the extreme heat will be relentless, lasting in some areas of the state for a week or more.

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