(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) – Living in New Mexico gives us the unique opportunity to enjoy balloons year round. But the beauty of the balloons can quickly turn into a dangerous situation if one were to get caught in power lines. Today, in preparation for the 2019 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, PNM hosted a safety demonstration for first responders, Balloon Fiesta safety officials, and local media to discuss what to do if this situation occurs. The demonstration covered how PNM responds and works with first responders, and Raymond Bair, a member of the Balloon Fiesta Board of Directors and experienced pilot, discussed this safety issue from the pilot’s perspective. The event was hosted at the PNM Reeves Generation Station, and a balloon and gondola were draped over a de-energized power line as a visual aid.
Safety is a priority at PNM, and it’s important to know that touching a balloon caught in power lines could cause a chain reaction that can injure those attempting to provide help, as well as the people inside the balloon's gondola. While it can be our natural instinct to want to run in and help others, there is no way for a casual observer to know if a power line is carrying electricity or has been de-energized by the balloon accident. It’s always best to stay back and call PNM.
“Preparedness is important for an incident like this,” said Chad Krukowski, director of Safety for PNM. “We always hope for an incident-free Balloon Fiesta, but should a balloon hit a power line, it’s imperative that PNM and local first responder groups continue to work cohesively to respond and keep everyone safe.”
During Balloon Fiesta, it’s important for the public to keep the following tips in mind to stay safe:
- If you see a balloon get entangled in powerlines, do not approach. Call 911 immediately, and call PNM at 888-DIAL-PNM. The safest thing for onlookers and everyone inside the balloon is to stay away and call for help.
- Touching a balloon wrapped in power lines could cause a chain reaction that can injure those trying to help, and anyone inside the balloon's gondola. Even if the line is not sparking or arcing, always assume that it's energized and call 888-DIAL-PNM.
- Electricity seeks the nearest path to ground, which means an energized power line that poses no danger to a balloon hanging on one wire could become deadly if someone touches the ground and the balloon or tether at the same time. Stay away, call 911 and 888-DIAL-PNM.
- Keep your eyes on the road when driving. Every year outages affecting thousands of customers are caused by vehicles hitting power poles or other electrical equipment. As balloons fill the sky, stay safe and keep your eyes on the road. Pull over in a safe location to watch & take pictures of the balloons.
About PNM
With headquarters in Albuquerque, PNM is the largest electricity provider in New Mexico, serving 525,000 customers in dozens of communities across the state. PNM is a subsidiary of PNM Resources, an energy holding company also headquartered in Albuquerque. For more information, visit www.PNM.com.