PG&E Using Helicopter to Inspect Power Lines in Southern Humboldt

A helicopter was seen over Southern Humboldt neighborhoods. [Photo submitted by Jesse Cabral.]

If you’ve heard a helicopter hovering low over Southern Humboldt today, PG&E says it’s inspecting power lines.

Redheaded Blackbelt confirmed that PG&E customers in at least three Southern Humboldt communities, Salmon Creek, Alderpoint, and Garberville, received email notices Tuesday morning about the helicopter inspections. Customers in other areas may have received them as well.

According to the notice, the utility is using a helicopter to inspect its electric towers, poles, and equipment. The work began in mid-September and is expected to last about four weeks. Weather and other safety factors could change that schedule.

Residents may see and hear the helicopter flying close to equipment, and it may hover in one spot. When it does, PG&E says, the hover “will usually be for less than 10 minutes.”

The utility also addressed privacy. “We respect your privacy and are only taking images of our equipment,” the notice reads.

PG&E says no action is needed from residents. Crews and contractor trucks may also be in the area, and all workers must carry photo ID and show it when asked. If crews need access to a property or have to shut off power temporarily, PG&E says it will contact customers ahead of time. Drivers may also see minor traffic delays where crews are working.

Residents with questions can contact PG&E at 916-472-2140 or [email protected].

UPDATE 5:31 p.m.: PG&E spokesperson Megan McFarland tells us,

[I]t’s a helicopter doing PG&E work. It’s doing LiDAR work for electric distribution. It will be working in multiple locations, starting with Redway today.

PG&E crews are using the helicopter to survey overhead electrical equipment, and the nearby vegetation. The helicopter you saw is equipped with Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors and high-resolution imagery technology to evaluate PG&E powerlines and adjacent trees.

A surveyor in the helicopter will collect the data on PG&E’s powerlines, poles, and the surrounding trees and brush located along distribution circuits within or adjacent to extreme (Tier 3) and elevated (Tier 2) wildfire risk areas (as defined by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) High Fire-Threat District Map). This data is used to create a 3-D simulation of our facilities.

This visual representation of our facilities gives us an accurate and unique picture to determine if there are potential encroachments near our equipment which could require safety improvements or maintenance. Incorporating the data from these technologies will support the safe and reliable delivery of electricity to our hometowns.

Additionally, the data is used to inform our machine learning artificial intelligence risk models to predict the potential risk of catastrophic wildfires from vegetation contacting our electric lines.

Note: This article has been updated after originally published to replace a photo of the helicopter with one taken today.