PNM urges customers to prepare for wildfire season
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The start of spring is about a month away, which means wildfire season is coming very soon.
Before that comes, PNM is reminding customers near high fire-risk areas to prepare for a potential Public Safety Power Shutoff. The PSPS can happen to ensure power lines don’t cause wildfires. However, it can leave people without power until they can safely restore it.
Customers include people in areas like:
- Clayton
- Cochiti Pueblo
- East Mountains; Sandias
- Las Vegas
- Mescalero Apache Tribe
- Ruidoso
- Santa Fe
- Silver City
- Tesuque Pueblo
According to PNM, they will communicate with customers in various ways. That way, they know how to prepare for a possible PSPS.
“A PSPS would only be implemented in specific areas where wildfire risk is the highest. PNM would provide as much advance notice as possible to affected customers,” PNM stated.
The length of a PSPS often relies on three factors, they say:
- “How long severe weather conditions persist before it is safe for PNM crews to patrol the system to inspect for damage.”
- “How many miles of lines must be patrolled, and how difficult and remote the terrain is that crews must travel.”
- “The extent of damage severe weather causes to the system and how long it takes crews to make repairs.”
If you have questions or would like additional information, reach out to PNM at wildfire.safety@pnm.com.