November 2, 2018 – Given the dramatic wildfire threat our communities face this year, PG&E is taking immediate action to ensure the safety of our customers, their neighborhoods and the surrounding community. PG&E Vegetation Management Crews are taking urgent action to create even greater safety clearances between trees and power lines in neighborhoods and communities that face the most extreme wildfire-threat.
To support this effort, PG&E will be using helicopters to patrol electric lines in Nevada County in the areas of Grass Valley, Cedar Ridge, Nevada City, Scotts Flat, Washington, North San Juan; in Placer County in the areas of Blue Canyon, Alta, Baxter, Dutch Flat; in Sierra County in the areas of Allegheny, Downieville, Goodyears Bar; and in Yuba County in the areas of Brownsville, La Porte, Strawberry Valley, Dobbins, Camptonville through November 6. Flights will also take place in El Dorado County in the areas of Camino, Pollock Pines, Sly Park, Newtown, Pleasant Valley and Happy Valley through November 12.
Helicopters patrolling the electric lines will be leaving out of the Grass Valley Airport and typically fly from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Foresters will be in the helicopters, which will be flying low and following electric lines, in order to look for vegetation near electric lines in high fire-threat areas. Flights are subject to change without notice.
This work, which is part of our overall Community Wildfire Safety Program, includes critical wildfire vegetation safety work to reduce the risk of vegetation coming into contact with electric lines in neighborhoods and communities that face the highest wildfire risk.
PG&E wants its customers to be completely informed and will be communicating and working with all affected customers to get this work done as safety and quickly as possible. Customers can call 1-877-295-4949 for more information or email wildfiresafety@pge.com.