PG&E Helicopters Flying Low Over Solano, Napa Counties

SOLANO COUNTY, CA — Pacific Gas and Electric Company began inspecting power lines Tuesday in Solano and Napa counties using helicopters equipped with Light Detection and Ranging — LiDAR — technology. The inspections are part of PG&E’s expanded and enhanced vegetation management work, implemented following the 2017 and 2018 wildfires as one of many additional precautionary measures intended to further reduce wildfire risk, said PG&E Spokeswoman Deanna Contreras.

Helicopter flights will continue along various lines in the two counties through Friday, July 12 and again July 14-17. During this time, helicopters will be seen flying low — at altitudes 300-500 feet — along power lines.

PG&E makes automated phone calls to notify residents ahead of helicopter flights scheduled in their community, Contreras said.

The LiDAR helicopter inspections are in addition to ground inspections and help gather data PG&E uses to identify hazardous trees that have the potential to fall into the lines, Contreras explained.

The inspections are taking place not only in Solano and Napa counties, but across approximately 25,200 miles of distribution lines in locations designated as elevated or extreme risk of wildfire based on California Public Utilities Commission's High Fire-Threat District Map.

"The data gathered will supplement PG&E’s ground inspections by capturing imagery that can be analyzed to take measurements, reveal patterns and identify any potential risks," Contreras said.

For more information on the helicopter inspections, residents can visit pge.com/enhancedveg or email questions to wildfiresafety@pge.com.

Community Wildfire Safety Program

PG&E's Community Wildfire Safety Program involves increasing real-time monitoring and intelligence capabilities, putting in place new and enhanced safety measures, and strengthening the resiliency of the electric grid to further reduce wildfire threats. More information can be found at Pge.com/wildfiresafety.