DOWNED POWER LINES: NO, MEANS NO!

Northern Oakland County, Michigan  July 5, 2012
photo by Jonathan Schechter

Powerful winds stormed through Oakland County two days in a row leaving many residents without powers and utility companies scrambling to restore power.  The process is often slow and some of the burden drifts over to local fire departments to standby at hazards.  Many hazards have no one standing guard.
What the general public often think is safe is not.
In this photo steam and smoke are rising from a branch snapped by powerful winds. 
What is not visible to the casual observer is a primary high voltage line is in contact with the tree about 40 feet from this image. The tree is electrified and so is the ground.
When the fire department, sheriff's dept or utility workers say you may not proceed and you must stop ,
No means No.
Ignorance of facts or ignoring the request can lead to your death: Simple as that!