Plants, power cause danger during storm

ALBUQUERUQE (KRQE) - Officials say plants and power lines could be very dangerous especially if it is raining.

A vine growing on a power pole near Carlisle and Candelaria has been a headache for neighbors.

“It’s got beautiful flowers and the hummingbirds love it but other than that it's nothing but petulance,” said a neighbor who did not want to be identified.

While it may look beautiful the plant is actually touching a power line and PNM says during a rain storm the plant could become live with electricity

“Any vegetation, if it gets on the line and particular if it gets across two lines can create issues,” PNM Spokesperson Valerie smith said.

Something neighbors know all too well.

“It's messed up our cable before the power before it's always been a mess…we've been here eight years and it's always been there,” a neighbor said.

Neighbors say it has been cut before.

“We complain to PNM and they came out last year and cut it back because it grows so rapidly up there in the wires,” a neighbor said.

PNM says they ask customers to plant away from power lines and be aware when your trees or vines are getting close to the top.

“In particular if they come in contact with two parts of the power line it can create a phase and that can create an arc flash,” Smith said.

If you have a tree or plant touching a power line you can call PNM and electric company workers can come trim the plant for safety.