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Volume 171 • Issue 124 | $1.00
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Monday, October 24, 2022
Mosquito Fire impacts PG&E details safety measures GDPUD declares emergency Eric Jaramishian Staff writer El Dorado County will likely receive the most mileage in PG&E’s powerline undergrounding projects with 36 miles either completed or planned by the end of the year, according to PG&E local government affairs representative Brandon Sanders. The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors heard a Community Wildfire Safety Program presentation from Sanders at its Tuesday meeting. In 2023 another 11 miles of electric lines are planned to be routed below ground. “We have been working on Sly Park Road, up in Cool and Lotus, and a few other areas,” Sanders said. “That is going to ramp up gradually in the coming years as we build a plan and do all the designing and engineering.” Sanders reported 30 miles of planned overhead system hardening, which includes installing stronger poles and covering power lines, making the electric system more resistant to wildfire risk and weather, is expected to be completed this year. Twenty-one miles had
“We acknowledge that it is a challenge for customers to be without power even for short periods of time but it is also important to note that this is a highly effective tool that we put in place.” — Brandon Sanders, PG&E local government affairs representative been completed as of Oct. 18. Sanders said trees are one of the biggest threats to overhead equipment. PG&E completed around 566 miles of vegetation management in 2021 and is planning to conduct 477 more miles of vegetation management by the end of 2022. The company has completed 141 miles as of October. “We understand that trees are very valuable to people and our communities,” Sanders commented to the board. “They’re valuable to us too but the reality we face is the forest is in n
Gloria Omania Georgetown Divide Public Utility District The Georgetown Divide Public Utility District has declared a local emergency due to Mosquito Fire’s damage to its water service infrastructure. During its October meeting the GDPUD Board of Directors heard an update on impacts from the 76,788-acre blaze still smoldering in the Divide’s backyard. Operations Manager Adam Brown reported that approximately 3.5 miles of the district’s upper canal conveyance system were damaged by fire. The ditches were located within a highseverity burn area. Flames also reached a tunnel that is part of GDPUD’s raw water conveyance system, charring a wooden flume covering its entrance. General Manager Nicholas Schneider outlined the disaster assistance funding response that includes FEMA emergency protective measures. He indicated the district had filed a public assistance application by the Oct. 7 deadline. GDPUD is also filing infrastructure loss claims with the Association of California Water Agencies/Joint Powers Insurance
See PG&E, page A3
n
See GDPUD, page A5
Courtesy photo
GDPUD workers remove Mosquito Fire debris from a canal as the water utility begins to recover from fire impacts.
Frontline heroes — heavy lifters Michael Raffety Mountain Democrat correspondent
T
Photo by Michael Raffety
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El Dorado County Sheriff’s Deputy of the Year Det. Daryl Miller, center, was joined by Sheriff John D’Agostini, left, and Sheriff-elect Jeff Leikauff at the Mother Lode Chapter of Sons of the American Revolution community awards night Oct. 13.
he Mother Lode Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution at its annual dinner Oct. 13 recognized three of El Dorado County’s most outstanding frontline heroes. Speaking for El Dorado County Sheriff ’s Deputy of the Year Det. Daryl Miller was his sergeant, Stephen Coburn. Coburn said Miller is part of the Sheriff ’s Office narcotics unit, where he works with state and local agencies. He recently investigated a fentanyl death, which eventually led to the arrest of several sources of
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the drug and seizure of 6 pounds of fentanyl, “enough to kill 1.5 million people.” Miller is also part of the sheriff ’s marijuana eradication team. “It was an honor for me to write up Det. Miller. He has a great and positive attitude.” Coburn said. Miller thanked the SAR. He noted he is a military veteran. His job requires lots of hours but he said he is glad he works with friends and expressed gratitude to his family for their support in the long hours he spends doing investigations. He also thanked Sheriff John D’Agostini for his faith in him. Also, he has worked for Sheriff-elect Jeff Leikauf, whom n
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