Incoming Helicopter on Wednesday

Press release from PG&E:

PG&E

As part of its ongoing response to California’s tree mortality crisis, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) will conduct aerial patrols in Humboldt County on Wednesday, June 13, to identify dead trees that could pose a wildfire or other public safety risk.

Five years of drought and bark beetle infestation in California have caused millions of trees to die or become structurally compromised. We’ve made significant progress to help reduce wildfire risk by removing dead and dying trees and we’re not slowing down,” said Carl Schoenhofer, Senior Manager for PG&E’s Humboldt Division.

Every year, PG&E inspects and monitors every overhead electric transmission and distribution line, either on foot or by air, with some locations patrolled multiple times. Since the tree mortality crisis began, the energy company has increased foot and aerial patrols in high fire-risk areas to twice a year and up to four times a year in some locations. In 2018, PG&E expects to patrol over half of its overhead distribution lines at least two times.

PG&E is using a contract helicopter service to fly foresters over the area to inspect trees. Patrolling by air allows the company to cover many miles quickly and efficiently, and reduces impacts on the ground. Residents are advised that the helicopter will fly low – at about 200 to 300 feet above the ground – along distribution power lines, and higher in areas where livestock are present.

Flights on Friday Wednesday will occur along Highway 299 over the towns of Hoopa, Willow Creek and Sayler and over the communities of Trinity Village, Hawkins Bar and Burnt Ranch.

Depending on clear weather conditions, foresters will fly in and out of Murray Field in Eureka between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

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unbridled philistine
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unbridled philistine
5 years ago

Fire season is upon us and they are just now getting out there? Little public relations in our area after the results of that investigation into last falls fire storms?