PNM (Public Service Company of New Mexico) has announced they could conduct Public Safety Power Shutoff in some areas of Santa Fe County in the future. This is a proactive measure to reduce the risk of power lines becoming an ignition source for catastrophic wildfires. For more information, visit PNM's wildfire safety page.  Keep in mind, just because you don't use PNM, doesn't mean you won't be affected.  Continue to learn more.

What Does This Mean?

It means residents and businesses should prepare for possible disruptions during high wind events.  This could potentially include power co-ops.  

How to Stay Updated

Updates on a shutoff and any related impacts will be provided through primarily PNM Alerts.  We encourage our residents to also sign up for Alert Santa Fe/Smart 911. 

How to Prepare

PNM has shared preparedness recommendations at PNM Wildfire Safety.

We here at OEM recommend you take the following steps if you know you're in an area of possible PSPS, or recieve a warning of a PSPS.

  • Ensure personal vehicles are fully fueled and/or charged, as nearby gas stations may not have power to operate their pumps.
  • Have a flashlight and spare batteries. Ideally, one per household member.
  • Charge your communication devices and consider having a backup power source like a spare external battery made for said device, remember you can charge your  mobile communication devices in most vehicles.
  • If you have medical equipment that requires constant electricity, or charging.  Consult with your medical provider and medical equipment providers to ensure back-up batteries or power can be supplied.
  • Have a stock of shelf stable foods, ensure they are easy-to-prepare foods that you could make without electricity.  Such as canned goods, freeze dried foods, or even camping/survival food such as "MRE's" (Meals Ready to Eat).

Considerations

***REPORT ANY OUTAGE TO YOUR POWER PROVIDER.  IF POWER IS RESTORED AND YOU STILL DON'T HAVE POWER, THE POWER COMPANIES MAY NOT KNOW, BECAUSE IT WAS NEVER REPORTED!

Long Term Considerations:  Due to our unique geography of urban wildland interface, growing populations, along with the ongoing challenges of climate change. Public Safety Power Shutoff's (PSPS) could be the new normal.  *Scientific studies show increased wind speeds, increasing temperatures, and increasing red flag conditions.  The threat is very real, devastating wildfires during wind events can and do happen.

Consider these long term suggestions to help us make Santa Fe County a more resilient and ready community.

Consider having a back up power source for your home, such as a multi-fuel generator. (multi-fuel means it could run on a variety of fuels such as diesel, gasoline, or propane.).  Please read the owner's manual and use it in accordance with the owner's manual.  Practice carbon manoxide safety and obtain a carbon manoxide detector.  

Consider getting a portable solar generator for small devices or to run smaller appliances, or to charge devices.  (Keep in mind, most modern vehicles can also charge some devices).

Consider wind or solar power production for the home.  One of many benefits, besides lowering utlity costs, is that home improvements which lower energy consumption, could be eligible for tax rebates as of 2024 and 2025 tax years.  Ask you tax preparer for further information.  

Consider having, at minimum, a few gallons of potable drinking water, per person  If you are on a private well, you may lose running water at the onset of a PSPS.

Consider "hardening" your property against high winds and fire as well.  Secure loose outdoor furniture, tie down trash/recycle cans.  Do not have loose trash or recycle bags outside; place it in a container that is secured.  Ensure smaller outdoor buildings, sheds, enclosed patios, green houses etc, are not sitting on the ground but are secured.  Also consider having your roof inspected regularly.  We strongly advise all residents to clear any and all dry debris, trees and brush from around the home.  Creating that "defensible space" for our responders.  

View PNM Outage Map 

Why The Concern?

We've had winds before. This happens every year in New Mexico, it's the changing of the seasons...Right?  Not necessarily...

If you recall, in recenty memory.  The Palisades fire, and how devastating that was to Californians, among several other wildfires around that time. (Some caused by utilities as the ignition source.). Those areas are very similar in landscape to that of parts of Santa Fe County. Heightening our risk. In addition to *climate challenges, We need the community to help eachother, by taking steps to mitigate the fire danger, practice fire safety, but how they can thrive during a public safety power shutoff.

I Don't Have PNM, Why Should I Care?

It has been brought to our attention that some power co-ops, that service Santa Fe County Residents, not related to PNM, have power infrastructure that joins PNM's infrastructure. This could potentially affect customers outside of PNM.  Call your energy provider for more details.  

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*Scientific studies from Yale University, EPA (Enviromental Protection Agency), NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and the Scientific American publication, among others, have indicated in the last decade The United States has had a significant increase in the frequency of wildfire, increased wind speeds, and an increase in dry vegetation due to increased drought conditions, which provide the perfect recipe for red flag conditions.   

*The WFCA (Western Fire Chiefs Association) estimates about 19% of all wildfires between 2016 and 2020 were ignited by power supply infrastructure.  Thus, shutting off the power, decreases that wildfire threat during those red flag conditions.

By combining the scientific information with the numbers, and through our own threat and hazard analysis, you can clearly see why there is a need for the public safety power shutoff's, and why it is important for you to practice fire safety, and assist your neighbors in fire mitigation efforts. 

***We ask our residents to keep in mind, The Office of Emergency Management, the Santa Fe County Fire Department, or other Santa Fe County entities, have no control over when or how a PSPS may occur.  Electric providers choose how and where this would happen due to their own guidelines.  Please consult with your local power company if you have any further questions regarding PSPS Public Safety Power Shutoffs.

Sign up for Alerts below, by scanning the QR code to sign up for Alert Santa Fe.  Also, be sure to sign up for alerts from your power company.