There have been many large wildfires in western states for the last couple of months, but most have been in less populated areas. Several folks have asked about cell phone problems because of the fires in California.
Sonoma and Napa county sheriff departments are reporting widespread power outages, and spotty cell phone service in those counties. No specifics about how many cell towers are impacted.
Landlines seem to be less affected.
Comcast has announced open access to its WiFi access points in Napa and Sonoma county.
Expanding the area, Humboldt and Mendocino County sheriffs are reporting damage to a fiber-optic line has cut-off communications for parts of those counties. They are using amateur ham radio operators at hospitals and sheriff station for communications.
AT&T and Verizon have confirmed telecommunications problems in California. But didn't provide any details about the problems.
From Califonira Office of Emergency Services
77 cellular-services sites were damaged or out of service (35 repaired)
A key cellular hub was damaged (location not provided)
From Comcast
38,000 subscribers out of service
Xfinity WiFi hotspots are available for free in the area until Friday
Providing WiFi hotspots in 33 evacuation centers
From AT&T
Network disaster recovery teams deployed, mobile Cells On Wheels (COWs) being deployed
From T-Mobile
Some cell service disrupted in California
From Sprint
impact on customers "minimal," cable connecting cell towers was cut by the fire. Waiting for safety clearance from authorities to enter area to repair.
From Verizon
Working to restore interrupted cell service in Napa, Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino counties where permitted by authorities and safe to access