Duke Energy using helicopter to control vegetation in area

POLK COUNTY—No, it’s not the military flying so low over Polk County this week. 

Local residents may have noticed a low-flying helicopter in some areas on Monday. 

The helicopter is Duke Energy doing vegetation management work this week. 

Duke Energy’s Local Government and Community Relations Manager Craig DeBrew alerted county officials this week that weather permitting, the company will be using a helicopter to perform tree trimming in a couple of locations in Polk County. 

The areas are Skyuka Mountain Road in Columbus and an area of Scout Camp Road near Camp Bob Hardin in Saluda. 

DeBrew said Duke Energy identified a site off Old Howard Gap Road near Lynn that the helicopter will use as a staging area.