Bangladesh, Oct. 23 -- San Francisco, OCT 23 (AP/UNB) - Hundreds of thousands of Northern California residents braced for another possible power outage as the state's largest utility warned that a return of dangerous fire weather could prompt shut-offs across 16 counties.

The warning from Pacific Gas & Electric about a possible blackout Wednesday prompted a feeling of resignation among residents and business owners and renewed rushes to stock up on emergency supplies.

"I think it's not panic per se, just 'Eh, we gotta do this AGAIN?'" said Kim Schefer, manager of Village True Value Hardware in Santa Rosa.

Schefer was busy Tuesday directing customers to gas cans and batteries as they prepared for what many see as a costly, frustrating n...