City of Santa Barbara, CA

05/06/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 05/06/2026 16:59

SCE to Conduct Aerial Inspections in Santa Barbara as Part of Wildfire Prevention Efforts

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SCE to Conduct Aerial Inspections in Santa Barbara as Part of Wildfire Prevention Efforts

Authored on
May 6, 2026
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Residents in Santa Barbara may notice increased activity in the skies in the coming weeks as Southern California Edison (SCE) prepares to conduct aerial inspections in local neighborhoods. Using drones and helicopters, inspection crews will examine electrical equipment on poles and towers from angles not possible from the ground. These top-down and side views provide a more complete picture of the system and help identify signs of wear, damage, or other potential hazards that may require prompt repair.

This proactive effort is part of SCE's ongoing wildfire prevention and mitigation program, focused on improving system safety and reliability. While aircraft may be visible or audible at times, activity is expected to be brief and localized. The time needed for inspections will vary depending on the equipment at each location, typically lasting between 30 to 60 minutes per pole or tower. Crews will work efficiently to minimize disruption to the community.

For more information and to view a list of impacted addresses, please visit Edison.com.

City of Santa Barbara, CA published this content on May 06, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 06, 2026 at 22:59 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]