LAKE COUNTY – Lake County residents may notice helicopter patrols this week, which are part of an annual examination of power lines.

Pacific Gas & Electric reported that it will conduct helicopter patrols of distribution lines from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday in Lake and Mendocino counties.

The patrols are meant to ensure system reliability, PG&E reported.

The goal of the annual patrols is identify fallen tree limbs, vegetation overgrowth, potential fire hazards and other problems. Issues identified during these patrols will be corrected to ensure system safety and reliability.

PG&E patrols and inspects all of its lines annually – more than 100,000 miles of them – to ensure safety and reliability, and to identify equipment in need of repair.

The company said the air inspections allow it to proactively schedule repairs of problems that might otherwise result in power outages.

In rough country, remote areas or areas where there are fewer trees, the most efficient – and sometimes only – way to accomplish this is by helicopter.