If PG&E wasn’t clearing their Right of Way properly, a decent amount of winds can cause the lines to sway far enough to contact trees in several places in the same day. Large lines can sway as much as 70’ from side to side. Most days they won’t sway so much, but when a strong wind comes, several trees can suddenly be within reach in many places.
Especially when it’s hot and lots of air conditioners are running. The lines heat up and sag, sometimes right into the trees.
Yup. That's what I was telling my wife yesterday. Had to be wires, what with hurricane-force winds all around the Bay Area that night. It was really blowing outside. There have been times PG&E workers came around to inspect my trees to make sure they were clear of electric lines in my back yard. But do they clear their right of way everywhere, maybe not.