Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities’ officials remind customers to report any observations of trees, tree branches or other vegetation interfering with overhead power lines.  During the COVID-19 public health emergency, the department instructed its contractor, Allied Trees, to focus on clearing trees and branches from utility lines in the canyons and county open spaces. While such activities in populated areas are currently postponed to limit person-to-person contact, the contractor remains available to respond to hazardous conditions observed in the town site or White Rock neighborhoods.

Trees growing through or close to overhead lines can cause the following hazards:

1)      Lines can short circuit, resulting in power outages and possibly damaging electrical infrastructure,

2)      Trees can create a potential path for electricity to travel to the ground. People or animals that come into contact with this path are at serious risk of being electrocuted, and

3)      Leaves and branches touching electric lines in dry weather conditions, can ignite, causing fires.

DPU will dispatch its contractor in these circumstances to remove the threat immediately.

Citizens should report hazardous conditions to the Customer Care Center at 505.662.8333 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or drop an email to CustomerCare@lacnm.us. An electric lineman will assess the situation and respond accordingly.