PG&E Conducts Practice Helicopter Patrols Over Napa, Marin Counties

NAPA COUNTY, CA — Pacific Gas and Electric Company was expected to conduct practice flights Thursday morning in Napa and Marin counties as part of its efforts to reduce the impact of Public Safety Power Shutoff events on customers, the utility announced.

"High winds can cause tree branches and debris to contact energized electric lines, damage equipment and cause a wildfire," PG&E officials said in a news release. "As a result, we may need to turn off power during severe weather to help prevent wildfires. PG&E does NOT anticipate initiating a PSPS this week."

During an actual PSPS, power cannot be restored until the severe weather passes and the lines are free of tree branches and other debris. PG&E crews will inspect de-energized lines utilizing aircraft, vehicles and foot patrols to identify and repair damage before restoring power.

“These practice patrols are designed to gather information that helps PG&E understand the amount of time it takes to safely complete the patrol,” said Ron Richardson, vice president of PG&E’s North Coast Region. “The pre-patrols improve safety, help us execute the patrol more efficiently and provide key information to determine service restoration timing – all to reduce the impact on our customers during an actual PSPS.”

PG&E was scheduled to fly different helicopters at different times on Thursday, most likely a Bell 429 and Bell 407, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Helicopters will fly low, roughly 100 feet, along electric distribution lines in the Lagunitas and Nicasio areas of Marin County and the Lake Berryessa area of Napa County.

If hazards or damage are identified during the patrols, they will be reported immediately.

Power will not be interrupted during the patrols, PG&E said.

"We are continuing to evolve and improve to keep our customers safe and reduce the impacts of PSPS outages," PG&E said. "There is no single solution to reducing the risk of wildfires."

According to PG&E, its other efforts to reduce the risk of wildfires include:

• Beginning to underground 10,000 miles of distribution powerlines in and near high fire-threat areas as part of an unprecedented, multiyear effort.
• Continuing to upgrade the electric grid by hardening powerlines to reduce wildfire risks.
• Installing sectionalizing devices to narrow the scope of PSPS outages so fewer customers are without power.
• Piloting new technologies that detect threats to the electric grid and rapidly reduce or shut off power.
• Installing microgrids that use generators to keep the electricity on during PSPS outages.

"Every wildfire season is different, and the ongoing drought and the conditions will determine the number of times we will need to shut off power, without compromising safety."