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NV Energy is replacing power poles at Lake Tahoe and conducting firefighting using helicopters
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NV Energy is replacing power poles at Lake Tahoe and conducting firefighting using helicopters

A noisy project has just started in the slope area, using helicopters to contain the fire.

This week, NV Energy began replacing utility poles and clearing large logs and brush that could pose a fire hazard to the Incline Village area. The noise will last about five weeks for those at Lake Tahoe.

This work will rebuild a four-mile section of power line between Hidden Beach Plaza and Thunderbird Lodge near Incline.

Crews work in steep mountainous terrain.

NV Energy says removing the old power poles and clearing hot spots will create a healthier forest.

Trails and roads in the area may be temporarily closed to keep everyone safe while helicopters fly around and other work equipment is used on the project.

Some of the clearing of the trees and brush is difficult for ground crews, so helicopters are needed.

“Sometimes this is in very rough areas where we cannot reach by truck. So in those cases a helicopter is needed to fly out those trees. In other cases, if we are rebuilding the line, if it is a is an area where we cannot reach by truck, we will have to do that construction by flying into the poles and removing the old ones,” said Danyale Howard, director of the NV Energy Natural Disaster Protection Plan.

There are many homes in that area and residents will have to deal with the sound of helicopters flying over their property for weeks.

“I know they’ve done a lot of tree work around power lines and stuff, and then they’ve had to use helicopters to move them, which is absolutely disruptive, as is the traffic and stuff like that. But usually things need to be done here. So even though it is a little disruptive, at least we live in a beautiful place and we can deal with it,” said Evan Roa, owner of Tunnel Creek Cafe.

An Incline resident told News 4/Fox 11 they had already dealt with this noise last year when another project used helicopters for firefighting.