PG&E Surveying Power Lines by Helicopter in Fresno and Mariposa Counties
FRESNO — Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is surveying distribution power lines in the Auberry area starting this week, using helicopters equipped with Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology.
Later this week through next week, patrols will fly over circuits in and around Auberry. Similar flights will begin in and around Mariposa on August 19th. Flights in both areas will continue until August 26.
A helicopter equipped with LiDAR technology
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The surveys are to collect more data on PG&E’s power lines, poles, and their surrounding environment in high-fire threat areas. The LiDAR helicopter surveys will help gather data for PG&E’s mapping system by capturing imagery that can be analyzed to take measurements, reveal patterns, and identify any potential risks.
Asset management involves meeting and exceeding state fire safety standards for power lines during extreme weather conditions.
More information about PG&E’s wildfire safety program is available here.
Bell 407 Helicopter equipped with LiDAR technology
Bell 407 Helicopters equipped with LiDAR technology will be leaving from the Fresno Yosemite International Airport at 9 a.m., finishing by about 5 p.m. each weekday.
Helicopters will be flying along the power lines at an altitude of about 500 feet.
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric energy companies in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with more than 23,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy to 16 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.
