Following reports that at least 12 of the wildfires that devastated areas of the California wine country last year were caused by Pacific Gas & Electric power lines, the company has decided to initiate helicopter patrols. The aircraft will inspect lines in El Dorado County in the areas of Camino, Cedar Grove, Pollock Pines, Sly Park, Newtown, Old Fort Jim, Sierra Springs, Pleasant Valley, Sweeneys Crossing and Happy Valley through October 28.
The National Weather Service predicts breezy conditions and elevated wildfire danger in some areas of Northern California Sunday and also Tuesday through Thursday of next week.
In the past PG&E has contracted for at least one Blackhawk helicopter that they use for heavy lift operations.
In July of 2017 a helicopter under contract to PG&E crashed near Donner Summit in California. The CHP said the six people on board had only minor injuries and none were transported to a hospital.
