A planned shutdown in San Francisco California left 500,000 people without electricity, the New York Times reported.

With the planned shutdown being unknown many scrambled to nearby stores and resource outlets to get gasoline and other essentials. Devastating Wildfires have covered California which has to cause a great amount of havoc throughout the state. Throughout the state, new areas would be shut down to a rough estimate of nearly 2.5 million people having no power.

“The power company described Wednesday’s cuts as a precaution, hoping to prevent its electrical equipment and power lines from sparking blazes in dangerous conditions.” New York Times reported.

The wildfire rate increases rapidly and precautions are being set in place to reduce them.