As PG&E continues to closely monitor several deadly, devastating wildfires burning in Southern California, the company is sending crews and equipment to aid firefighting agencies and utilities in the area.
PG&E dispatched two Blackhawk helicopters to Los Angeles to support Cal Fire’s firefighting efforts.
PG&E also has mobilized 25 Safety and Infrastructure Protection Team (SIPT) crews to Southern California to provide mutual assistance at the request of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP).
Those crews will assist LADWP with electric and water asset protection by applying fire retardant on poles and other equipment, checking fire-damaged utility equipment and making the area safe for LADWP crews to restore power. Some electric distribution crews also will be traveling to Southern California to help with restoration.
In 2024, PG&E’s fleet of four Blackhawk helicopters, referred to internally as “Bluehawks,” were used extensively in firefighting efforts across California logging more than 300 flight hours – many in support of CAL FIRE’s efforts to extinguish the Park Fire in Butte County. All four helicopters can be configured with 1,100-gallon belly tanks and snorkels for initial attack in urban areas or 900-gallon long line buckets for tall, heavy timber forest fires.
There go the rate increases.
I wonder if they’d have room for me on the helicopter?
They can drop me off…. err, let me out that is, at 6814 Winnetka Ave, Canoga Park… it’s right on the way! Big parking lot, plenty of room for the chopper.