San Diego Gas & Electric Co. recently used drones to conduct visual inspections of its overhead electrical equipment in wildfire-prone areas of Ramona.

This latest set of inspections were completed on Sept. 1, said SDG&E spokesman Roland Franklin.

SDG&E representatives say these ongoing inspections help support safe and reliable electric service.

Residents were told they did not need to be home for the inspections, but if SDG&E workers could not access their equipment due to locked gates, animals or other obstructions, then company representatives would contact residents to schedule an appointment.

The drone pilots have a company ID badge, so they are credentialed and recognizable, according to a notification letter that was emailed to some customers on Aug. 31.

SDG&E representatives said the company has been using drone technology for the past decade. The purpose is to reduce the risk of wildfires and to improve SDG&E response times during an emergency, they said.

In addition to using drone technology to monitor wildfires and pinpoint causes of power outages, SDG&E officials say they also use the drones to conduct aerial inspections of electric and natural gas facilities and equipment in remote areas that are difficult for ground crews to reach.

A Risk-Informed Drone Inspection (RIDI) program is part of SDG&E’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan efforts.

“The Risk-Informed Drone Inspection (RIDI) program enhances the evaluation of our poles and equipment within the High Fire Threat District areas and Wildland Urban Interface,” SDG&E officials said.

The RIDI program, which began in 2023, continues to perform about 13,000 pole inspections per year. Benefits include increased efficiency when inspecting electric poles, powerlines and equipment; images that provide a different perspective of the tops of poles and equipment where ground crews are unable to reach; and drone accessibility in remote, rugged areas, SDG&E officials said.

For more information, visit sdge.com/RIDI or sdge.com/crews, or call the SDG&E customer hotline at 844-765-6388.