PG&E's Protection Team responds to Garnet Fire as fire burns closer to infrastructure

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- With the Garnet Fire creeping closer to critical infrastructure, Pacific Gas and Electric is sending specialized crews to the front lines to protect its equipment.

"They're mostly made up of former firefighters or those who have experience in the firefighting arena," PG&E spokesperson Jeff Smith said.

He told Action News about the work of the Safety and Infrastructure Protection Team.

"They treat our equipment with fire retardant and various other systems to try and protect it," Smith said.

Video provided by PG&E shows crew members focused on the Balch Camp along the North Fork Kings River. The hydroelectric project there features a dam, several reservoirs, and powerhouses.

Much of it is surrounded by evacuation orders.

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"Power is something that we don't take lightly," U.S. Forest Service spokesperson Adrienne Freeman said. "Folks need their air conditioners, they need their water pumps, so it's almost as important as the homes themselves for us to keep this infrastructure safe."

Freeman says the Garnet is so large that different areas bring specific challenges and concerns.

Miles north of Balch Camp is PG&E's Helms Powerhouse.

Last year, Action News got rare access inside, where we saw how they generate electricity using the Courtright and Wishon reservoirs. It takes teams of people working deep underground.

"It's critical infrastructure because, ultimately, it is what helps provide power all throughout the state of California," Smith said.

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Fresno County officials put Helms under an evacuation order last week.

With 1,700 local, state, and federal firefighters in the area, PG&E has proactively de-energized some of its lines.

"There is redundancy where in the short term, we're able to keep homes, businesses and other areas energized through other circuits, but that's not a long-term solution," Smith said.

With the Garnet Fire raging for the 11th day, PG&E's specialized crews will remain in place.

"We're going to continue to have to be up there for at least another two or three weeks based on the information that we're hearing."

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