PG&E is conducting helicopter surveys in Lake and Humboldt counties to reduce wildfire risk. The flights use LiDAR and high-resolution imagery to inspect powerlines and vegetation.
- Helicopters fly daily from late April through late May, hovering as low as 200 feet. - Surveys cover rural areas in Lake County (e.g., Clearlake, Lakeport) and Humboldt County (e.g., Eureka, Arcata).
- Data creates 3-D models and feeds AI risk prediction for vegetation contact with lines. - PG&E aims to inspect over 390,000 distribution poles and 39,000 transmission structures.
The initiative is part of PG&E's ongoing efforts to mitigate wildfire threats in high-risk areas.