BVES to fly drones over electrical lines on Aug. 12

Bear Valley Electric Service, Inc. will send drones aloft to film portions of its electrical line infrastructure on Wednesday, August 12, 2026[1]. The utility — which serves the Big Bear Valley — released the notice on August 3, but the brief announcement provided no additional detail about which specific line corridors would be surveyed, how long the flights would last, or what altitudes the drones would operate at.

Drone inspections of power lines have become a common tool for utilities to identify equipment damage, vegetation encroachment, and other hazards without sending crews into the field — but because electrical corridors run through and over private property, residents along those routes may notice the aircraft overhead.

BVES has not published a public-facing FAQ or contact number specific to this operation, according to the available notice. Residents with questions about the drone activity can reach Bear Valley Electric Service through its general customer service line. Big Bear News will update this story if the utility releases further details about the scope of the August 12 flights.