Depending on the voltage of the line you could get nailed and good from a few feet away, without even touching it at all. I'm sure some of the other members could get really technical on it. But voltage will break down the die-electric strengh of most insulating material easily once the path is made. Even the air it self! The average rubber soled shoe, and leather glove is useless above 120/240. Otherwise you should be wearing proper PPE for the voltage.
http://www.corvib-int.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=29_30 And the conductive properties of a dry 2x4 may as well be a copper pipe at +10KV. I'm sure there will be some corrections to what I said, but can not stress enough to stay clear of downed lines of any kind!
