Is there a helicopter somewhere above you? Are wondering, What the hell is that thing doing there? Am I in danger? Should I be scared? Let us comfort you: no.

PG&E is surveying power lines and other equipment over much of Humboldt County this month, including over populated areas in Arcata and Eureka, and sometimes it likes to do that via helicopter. The PG&E crews can fly it as low as 200 feet off the ground, though they’ll usually keep it closer to 500. The chopper may hover in one place for as long as 10 minutes. Work will cease sometime in late October.

They’re using Light Detection and Ranging sensors to assess the health of the equipment, and also to check for vegetation that’s at risk of being fuel for a wildfire.

Read more about it in this press release from last month.