Last week from Monday to Thursday, Aug. 2 to 5, a Caltrans tree crew performed routine maintenance tree trimming on Highway 243.

Caltrans Public Affairs Officer Terri Kasinga said the work “provides road clearance, visibility and reduces the weight of the branches. It also provides preparation work for winter months. This type of tree trimming and removal is routine maintenance.”

The tree crew is scheduled to return in September once dates are set to continue tree maintenance. The Town Crier will report that information upon Caltrans notification.

She said wait times are typically 10 to 20 minutes under traffic control but, “It could go longer if they are having an issue with removal.”

The Town Crier also contacted SCE Spokesperson Reggie Kumar regarding its work. When asked about the details, Kumar said, “Our primary focus of work in 2021 has been grid hardening. This includes replacing industry standard bare wire with insulated wire (covered conductor).”

He was vague on details regarding when and where work will continue. “We will be performing this same work through 2022,” he said. “There might be more projects that extend past 2022, including maintenance work, and if that is the case, we will notify customers.”

Kumar said the insulated wire “is part of our Wildfire Mitigation Plan to keep communities safe from wildfires. This work will also increase service reliability in the area.”

Subcontractors Par Electric and Sturgeon are assisting SCE.

When asked if any of the projects had to be redone because of errors, he did not answer directly but said, “There are strict quality control processes in place with every project performed across our service area and if it doesn’t meet industry standards during the inspection process then it may require us to make adjustments.”

(((APPEND)))As with Caltrans, SCE also runs tree-trimming operations. Kumar said, “SCE works closely with Caltrans on a regular basis and applies for permits to mitigate certain trees within Caltrans’ right -of-way when necessary. The current SCE vegetation management effort along Highway 243 is expected to take up to five weeks, but the schedule may vary based on weather conditions.

“Some tree maintenance will require SCE to schedule an outage and customers will be notified ahead of time. This work will also increase service reliability. State regulations require utilities to trim or remove trees and vegetation so they don’t grow or fall into high-voltage power lines, which could not only cause a power outage but could spark a fire or be a danger to the public.”

Despite being told through texts, emails and/or postal mail that power outages would only last from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., often the power outage ended much later, sometimes as late as 9 p.m.

Mary and Dave Knab, who live north of Pine Cove and both work from home, said the one-day-a-week power outages since March 2021 have been taking a toll. “First, the information is unreliable,” said Mary. “It never ends at 4:30 or 5 — more like 8, 9 or 10.

“Second, we still work fulltime, as do many folks due to COVID. I can’t lose power every week for 12 hours or more. The cost of replacement or backup power for a never-ending maintenance program is an unrealistic burden.”

Kumar said, “We understand that being without power for an extended period of time is an inconvenience for our customers. Our crews work as quickly and as safely as possible to restore electricity and due to the scope of work, restoration times may vary.”

Janice Coopersmith, of Pine Cove, throws out food from her refrigerator and freezer every time the power goes out. SCE does provide free bags of ice with each mailed notice but the ice has to be picked up at one of two locations off the Hill.

“It just seems like the offer of the Smart & Final ice was kind of tone deaf — like that’s going to do any good,” Coopersmith said.

When asked about this, Kumar offered, “We encourage our customers to file a claim with SCE and we will evaluate it thoroughly. The safety of our customers, communities and employees is our top priority.”

Coopersmith said she might give that a try. Claim forms are available at www.sce.com/customer-service/request-support/claims.

Mary added, “Third, we live in a small community — tiny compared to Idyllwild. I just don’t understand how this project can affect us for so long, with no answers as to why or when it will end.”

“People have a right to know about their power,” said Coopersmith.