Red flag warnings for high fire danger are in effect from 11 p.m. Thursday through 5 p.m. on Saturday, largely in northern and central California.

Ahead of potentially dangerous conditions that could lead to wildfires, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is warning of possible public safety power shutoffs affecting a small number of customers across a wide swath of Northern and Central California beginning as early as Thursday night.

Red flag fire warnings have been raised and utilities have said they could need to cut power supplies. California wildfire risks are rising as the state’s annual wind season gets underway with gusts rolling out of the north that can fan any flame into an out-of-control blaze,

A so-called “inside slider” is forecast to bring breezy weather to a large portion of California later this week, heightening wildfire risk at a time of year when vegetation is parched and flammable.

PG&E, California’s largest utility provider, has warned upwards of around 32,000 customers in northern and central parts of the Golden State that they could see their power shut off in an effort to reduce the wildfire risk from energized equipment and power lines.