Helicopter Upgrades Enhance Santa Barbara’s Electrical Safety

Residents in the Riviera neighborhood of Santa Barbara were temporarily evacuated from their homes on February 13, as Southern California Edison (SCE) conducted a unique operation to upgrade the local electrical infrastructure using helicopters. This initiative involved the installation of five fire-resistant utility poles and the addition of cover conductor cables, aimed at reducing the risk of sparks and potential wildfires in the area.

The electrical upgrades resulted in temporary power outages for 21 customers and required the evacuation of 61 residential addresses during active helicopter operations. According to David Eisenhauer, a communications advisor with SCE, the use of helicopters was essential due to the challenging terrain. The narrow, winding roads in the hills of Santa Barbara make it difficult for larger equipment, such as cranes, to access the area.

Southern California Edison has a long history of utilizing helicopter operations for electrical maintenance, dating back to 1959. These operations demand a highly skilled team that can safely transport equipment to hard-to-reach locations. Eisenhauer noted, “The reason we’re doing it here in the hills of Santa Barbara is because it’s really difficult, if not impossible, to get the equipment and the cranes we need in there.”

SCE employs its own aerial support fleet, which includes helicopters and drones. These resources assist in scouting locations, transporting crews, and performing upgrades that necessitate technicians working from above on ropes. For the upgrades in Santa Barbara, two contracted helicopters were used, taking off from and refueling at the Santa Barbara Airport.

The new utility poles are designed to enhance fire safety and reliability, while the cover conductors feature an additional coating that significantly reduces the risk of sparks compared to traditional bare-wire cables. Eisenhauer emphasized that these upgrades will not only minimize the risk of fires but also result in fewer public safety power shutoffs in the future.

City officials coordinated with SCE to inform residents near Alameda Padre Serra about the necessary evacuations and anticipated power outages. Those living beneath the helicopters’ flight paths were required to vacate their homes during the morning operations, which also led to the temporary closure of Roble Lane and De la Guerra Terrace.

By the end of the day on February 13, all upgrades were successfully completed, and residents were allowed to return home. The swift execution of these operations highlights SCE’s commitment to enhancing public safety and ensuring the reliability of electrical services in the region.