July 6, 2020 – Starting tomorrow, Tuesday, July 7, PG&E will begin conducting pre-inspection flights as part of improving its Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program by making events smaller in size, shorter in length and smarter for our customers. PG&E does not anticipate initiating a PSPS, these flights will be practice runs to gather information regarding timing and mapping of inspections during a future PSPS.
PG&E will be flying a helicopter in Nevada County, in the areas of Grass Valley and Nevada City, on Tuesday, July 7 and Thursday, July 9. Power will not be interrupted during the drill.
Given the continued and growing threat of extreme weather and wildfires, we are expanding and enhancing our Community Wildfire Safety Program to further reduce wildfire risks and help keep our customers and the communities we serve safe.
During an actual PSPS event, crews will inspect de-energized lines utilizing aircraft, vehicles and foot patrols to identify and repair damage before restoring power.
The sole purpose of a PSPS is to reduce the risk of major wildfires during severe weather. With more than half of the area where our customers live and work now at high risk for wildfires, PSPS is an important tool for keeping customers and communities safe. Turning off power can prevent wildfires, but also disrupts lives and can include its own risks, particularly for those who need power for medical equipment.