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North Bay residents have likely been hearing the buzz of low-flying helicopters in recent weeks.
The helicopters are part of an effort by PG&E to reduce the impact of its Public Safety Power Shutoffs.
"The goal is to make our PSPS events shorter in length and smaller in size," said PG&E’s Deanna Contreras. "These helicopter flights are basically along electric distribution lines, gathering information that will help PG&E understand the amount of time it takes to complete the patrol."
During a power shutoff, PG&E sends helicopters and staff out to inspect its power lines and clear off any downed trees before it turn those lines back on. The current inspections are a dry run that the utility said will help it speed up that process so that power can be restored more quickly once weather conditions improve.
The power shutoffs could return in the fall if the utility determines that winds are high enough and grass is dry enough that a broken line or downed tree could start a fire.
"They are scheduled to fly low because these distribution lines are the lines that do deliver power to neighborhoods, so they are flying roughly 100 feet or so, which is pretty low," said Contreras.
It is work that customers have been noticing all over the North Bay and beyond in recent weeks, as PG&E has been flying along lines through Mendocino, Sonoma, Lake, Napa, and now Marin Counties. PG&E has also sent helicopters out over parts of the East Bay this month.
Crews are scheduled to wrap up the project by the end of the week.