High winds keep first responders and power companies busy

Feliz Romero and Monica Logroño KOB

Fire crews on standby as winds whip across metro area

Bernalillo County and Albuquerque fire units spent the day on standby in case the strong winds whipped up any dangerous blazes.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The high wind danger throughout the state kept first responders on high alert while also keeping power companies extra attentive to the needs for preemptive shutoffs.

The following areas could be impacted by a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) per PNM:

Clayton
Cochiti Pueblo
East Mountains (Sandias)
Las Vegas
Mescalero Apache Nation
Ruidoso
Santa Fe
Silver City
Tesuque Pueblo

If a shutoff is implemented, PNM will contact the information you have on your account online. Call (888) 342-5766 for support or if you see a downed power line. You can also text #ALERT to 78766 for text alerts. To report a power outage, text #OUT to 78766. Click here, for PNM’s latest outages.

Xcel customers can report an outage by texting OUT to 98936, through Xcel’s mobile app, or by calling 1-800-895-1999. Xcel also has a map for current and potential PSPSs. Click here, for Xcel Energy’s outages.

Click on the video above for more on how first responders handled this blustery day, and then click on the video below to learn how PNM and Excel Energy monitored the situation from their end.

Energy companies ready for preemptive power shutoffs

As winds whip through the eastern part of New Mexico, PNM and Excel Energy are ready to shut off the power if it means keeping people safe.