PG&E response helicopters to conduct training exercises Wednesday and Thursday

SAN LUIS OBISPO AND SANTA BARBARA COUNTIES, Calif. – Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) will be conducting helicopter-based drills over power lines in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties on Wednesday, Jul. 12 and Thursday, Jul. 13 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The drilling helicopters will depart from Paso Robles Municipal Airport and will patrol overhead electrical equipment near Huasna, Highway 166 east of Santa Maria, and west of Paso Robles near Lake Nacimiento.

These aerial patrols are part of company-wide Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) preparedness activities.

This exercise will focus on circuits that could be affected by a PSPS event detail PG&E.

During an actual PSPS event, such as severe weather, power is turned off to help prevent energized lines from sparking wildfires. Crews in aircraft, vehicles, and on foot would arrive to inspect and repair damage before restoring power.

This drill period will not require any power shutoffs, but the training will require crews in helicopters to fly low and hover over lines to prepare for an actual emergency response explain PG&E.

For more information about preparing for a PSPS event or natural disaster, visit PG&E's Safety Action Center.