Staff report
PNM is alerting customers to prepare for possible weather-related power outages this week due to strong winds and low humidity combining to increase wildfire risk.
The National Weather Service has issued Red Flag Warnings for several parts of the state, prompting PNM to adjust system settings to mitigate the risk of power lines igniting fires.
These enhanced settings, while crucial for fire prevention, increase the likelihood of extended power outages from Tuesday through Thursday. According to a press release from PNM, the adjustments automatically de-energize power lines when debris or trees come into contact with them, which may lead to outages lasting several hours or possibly overnight.
PNM is also considering a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) on Thursday in areas with extreme fire risk, including the East Mountains/Sandias and Santa Fe. A PSPS involves intentionally turning off power to certain areas to prevent the power system from becoming an ignition source for wildfires. This measure would only be taken as a last resort, and affected customers would be notified directly with as much advance notice as possible.
A media update regarding the potential PSPS will be provided by PNM on Wednesday.
PNM encourages all customers to prepare for potential power disruptions by taking a few steps ahead of the weather:
- Stay safe. Customers should stay away from downed power lines. If you see a downed power line, do not touch it or anything in contact with it. Call 911 and PNM immediately at 888-DIAL-PNM. Always consider a power line energized and dangerous.
- Stay informed. Customers should sign up for outage alerts by texting #REG to 78766 from a phone number associated with their account. Then text #ALERT to 78766.
- Stay prepared. The American Red Cross advises customers prepare a power outage kit including water, food, flashlights, and medications. For more tips from the American Red Cross visit https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/power-outage.html.
- Report an outage. PNM may not be aware of an outage in your area unless you report it by: texting #REG to 78766 and then #OUT to 78766, going online at PNM.com/outage, or calling us at 888-DIAL-PNM.
For more information on wildfire safety, visit PNM.com/wildfire-safety.
I think they are all talk. The public push back will be too intense for them to handle. I get it, they don’t want to be sued for a power line coming down and being the ignition source. People want convenience but remember if it happens it’s not intentional on PNM part. Just saying.