Albuquerque: Hot Air Balloon Crashes into Power Lines, Causing Outages

Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Crash Sparks Power OutagesAlbuquerque Hot Air Balloon Crash Sparks Power Outages Albuquerque, NM – A hot air balloon crash into power lines in Albuquerque on Sunday morning caused widespread power outages in the city. According to the Albuquerque Fire Department, the balloon crashed into lines near San Mateo Boulevard and Osuna Road just before 7:30 a.m. The impact caused a fire that spread along the lines, disrupting power to thousands of homes and businesses. Firefighters and utility workers responded to the scene and worked to extinguish the blaze and restore power. PNM, the local utility company, estimated that as many as 15,000 customers were affected by the outages. “We had to shut down the entire power system to ensure the safety of our crews and the public,” said PNM spokesperson Shannon Jackson. “We are working to restore power as quickly as possible.” The crash also caused significant traffic disruptions, as several major roads were closed in the area. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the cause of the crash. No injuries were reported in the incident. Albuquerque is a popular destination for hot air ballooning, with the city hosting the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the largest hot air balloon festival in the world. However, hot air balloon crashes are not uncommon. In 2020, a balloon crash in Virginia killed three people. Residents are advised to avoid downed power lines and to contact PNM to report any outages.