In response to the drought, Pacific Gas and Electric Company is patrolling by helicopter to check for drought-stricken trees near power lines. Flights will occur in remote areas of Plumas County on Tuesday, September 13th.
Residents are advised that the helicopter will fly low – about 200 to 300 feet – along distribution power lines.
Flights will occur over and near the Feather River Canyon along Highway 70 from Pulga in Butte County to the Highway 89/70 junction, as well as around Bucks Lake, Butt Valley Reservoir, and portions of Lake Almanor. Patrols will occur in and near the communities of Moccasin, Indian Falls, Paxton, Keddie, Park Hill, Cresta, Rogers Flat, Belden, Caribou, Seneca, Lake Almanor West, the east shore of Lake Almanor, the Peninsula, Prattville and Canyon Dam.
PG&E is using a contract helicopter service to fly foresters to check for trees weakened by the drought. This patrol is in addition to the annual patrols PG&E does along power lines to identify trees and vegetation in need of pruning and removal. Weakened trees and branches can fall into power lines, leading to outages and even wildland fires.
“The drought has weakened and killed many trees and left others susceptible to disease or insects,” explains PG&E spokesman Paul Moreno. “After the flights, foresters will hike to the trees in question for an up close inspection to verify tree conditions. Once a forester confirms a tree needs to be removed, PG&E will work with the property owner to schedule a contractor to cut the tree.”
Consecutive years of drought have taken a toll on trees and even some trees deemed healthy six months ago have since succumbed to the dry conditions.
Weather permitting, all flights will occur between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
