IMPORTANT

Over 100 PG&E Coworkers Responding in the Air and on the Ground to Southern California Wildfires

Date: January 12, 2025

PG&E Coworkers Responding in the Air and on the Ground to SoCal Wildfires

More than 100 PG&E coworkers have deployed to Southern California to provide mutual assistance support to Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas Company in response to the devasting wildfires. 

 

While two PG&E Blackhawk helicopters are supporting Cal Fire in the air by dropping hundreds of gallons of water on the fires, PG&E Safety and Infrastructure Protection Teams (SIPT) have been clearing brush and treating poles with retardant on the ground. The 25 SIPT engines, comprised of 2-person crews, have been assisting LADWP with efforts to prevent or limit damage to electric infrastructure. The crews go from pole to pole to clear vegetation and treat the areas as high as they can. 

 

“The goal is to save the infrastructure and keep the poles standing,” said SIPT Lead Todd Tindill, who is based out of Chico. So, if the fire does come through, damage to the poles is mitigated or prevented.

 

“You see this kind of devastation…Being able to come down here and help lets you feel a sense of being able to contribute. We’re here trying to help the folks get back in and help the community get to a place where they can start looking forward,” Vacaville-based SIPT Lead Jesse Estrada added. 

 

Electric General Construction crews will be making repairs to restore service to Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Southern California Edison customers. More than 130 additional coworkers, including over 100 Gas Service Representatives, will be heading to the Los Angeles area Wednesday to support Southern California Gas Company.

 

"I know that we all share an incredible amount of empathy for those affected by these fires and have reaffirmed to our peer California utilities that we are standing at the ready to assist them in their response, repair and restoration efforts in any and every capacity," said PG&E Chief Operating Officer Sumeet Singh.

 

Fueled by ferocious Santa Ana winds and bone-dry conditions, at least seven wildfires have damaged or destroyed more than 10,000 structures since Tuesday across Southern California.

Coworker applying retardant to power pole