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Downed Power Lines Advanced Safety Info Home< BackNext >
Secure the area. Keep yourself and the public at least 30 feet away from fallen power lines. Fallen transmission lines from large towers require 100 feet of clearance.
Stay clear of all downed lines and anything they are contacting, including nearby fences, trees, cable or phone lines, and the ground.
Be extremely cautious when using water to fight fires near downed power lines. If you must use water, use only a mist or spray. Do not use a stream—it can create a clear path for current.
Fire Captain Electrocuted by Downed Line
A 36-year-old fire captain was fatally shocked when he brushed against a fallen 12,000-volt power line while fighting a predawn house fire. The line had fallen into a nearby pine tree and was dangling just above the ground.