People in and around Yucca Valley might notice increased drone activity this spring and summer. But don’t get your slingshots; these drones are there to provide an important public service. Reporter Mike Lipsitz tells us what they’re up to…
The high-tech, unmanned aerial vehicles are inspecting Southern California Edison’s electrical infrastructure. The drones join SCE crews on foot patrol, and in trucks and even helicopters to look at poles, transformers, and overhead power lines in high fire risk areas. They can capture detailed images of infrastructure in remote, hard-to-reach locations often inaccessible to crews on foot. They help fortify electric systems increasingly vulnerable to wildfires due to extreme weather heightened by climate change, increased development, and a significant build-up of fuel on state and federal land. The utility has 20 drones being pressed into service as part of a comprehensive Wildfire Mitigation Plan. SCE’s goal is to conduct the aerial inspections with little to no disruption to residents.
