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PREVIOUSLY:

• Power Outage in Orleans
• Hoopa’s Mile Post 18 Wildfire Grows to Three Square Miles; State Management Team Assumes Command

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An Orleans reader writes:

The power was out here in Orleans from ~730 pm last night until 0430 this morning. According to PG&E, the outage was caused by “third party aircraft.” What does that mean? Rotary aircraft, fixed wind aircraft, drone, borate drop on the line that broke it? Would you please look into this?

Yes, we will! We have!

PG&E spokesperson Megan McFarland tells us that last night a helicopter carrying a large, 1,000-pound bucket was among the resources being used to battle the blaze.

Unfortunately, McFarland says, the helicopter pilot allowed the bucket to graze power lines along Highway 96. The poles stayed standing, but it was enough to knock out juice for the night. 

McFarland was not certain which agency or contractor was piloting the helicopter. ‘Third party,” she said, is essentially PG&E-speak for “someone who is not PG&E.”