17-02-2025
PNM warns windy, dry spring might prompt it to shut off power to prevent wildfires
An air tanker drops fire retardant called slurry over and around areas in the Village of Ruidoso, N.M., on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Photo by Chancey Bush / Albuquerque Journal)
The state's biggest electric utility is warning people in wildfire-prone areas that high winds and dry conditions might prompt the utility to shut off power this spring.
PNM officials said in a news release Monday that the utility is reaching out to customers in high-risk areas to remind them about the possibility of a 'public safety power shutoff,' one that could leave them without power temporarily. PNM sometimes shuts off power during high-wind and other extreme weather events to ensure power lines don't spark a wildfire, officials said.
In particular, the following areas could be affected by such a shutoff, according to PNM:
Clayton
Cochiti Pueblo
East Mountains
Las Vegas
Mescalero Apache Nation
Ruidoso
Santa Fe
Silver City
Tesuque Pueblo
Officials stressed a shutoff would occur only in areas where wildfire risk is the highest, and they'll give as much advance warning as possible to those in the area. Customers can get more information about the shut offs and how to prepare by contacting according to the news release, which also directed customers to this website for more safety tips.
The length of a shutoff depends on the terrain and weather conditions, how many miles of lines must be patrolled and the extent of damage, according to PNM.
The dry, windy spring expected across the state comes as lawmakers consider what liability utilities like PNM, as well as smaller electrical cooperatives, should face if one of their power lines causes a wildfire. Lawmakers are considering limiting the amount of liability small co-ops could face and also reducing all utilities' liability if they can prove they took adequate steps to clear trees from their rights-of-way.
Fires making home insurance unaffordable, impossible, NM lawmakers say
PNM is currently fighting a lawsuit filed on behalf of hundreds of people caught up in the McBride Fire in 2022. The fire near Ruidoso destroyed hundreds of structures and killed an elderly couple.
Shortly after the fire, lawyers began suing PNM and its contractor, Trees, Inc., ultimately representing hundreds of plaintiffs. The lawsuit alleges that the McBride Fire's cause was a pine tree that blew over onto a power line maintained by the utility. They say PNM and its contractor were negligent in allowing the tree to be tall enough and close enough to the power line to cause a fire on a windy day.
PNM previously denied any wrongdoing in a statement to Source New Mexico: 'Public reports have noted a tree spanning approximately 50 feet tall that was outside of our right-of-way had contacted a powerline due to unanticipated wind gusts of over 90 miles per hour,' spokesperson Eric Chavez told Source New Mexico. 'PNM proactively employs vegetation management and wildfire mitigation practices that comply with applicable authorities.'
An Intermountain West Drought and climate briefing earlier this month showed New Mexico facing dry and hot weather in the coming months.
