Corrales officials urge residents to 'have a plan' as fire chiefs outline hydrant and tank projects

Fire and emergency-management staff told the Village of Corrales council that improving water infrastructure and household readiness are top priorities as the region watches large-scale wildfires elsewhere.

Fire Chief Anthony Martinez and Deputy Chief and emergency manager Tanya Lawton briefed the council on local steps to reduce risk, including hydrant extensions, a planned water-storage project on Angel Hill and a continuing focus on Bosque vegetation management. "Have a plan. Be prepared," Lawton told the council, urging residents to sign up for the COBRAID emergency-notification system and keep prescriptions and animal supplies ready.

Martinez described the village system as designed primarily for fire suppression at the hydrant level and said residents should not expect residential lines to carry the volume of a neighborhood fire. "Our system is designed for 1 hydrant at 1,000 gallons per minute. That's like 1 home," Martinez said, noting the limits that a large wildfire would impose on water supplies.

He updated the council on recent and planned work: a new hydrant on Preo Road that has been tested; an Andrews Lane waterline extension running from behind the school toward Dixon, with a spring goal of installing a hydrant near DeBoskie; and a bid to build a roughly half‑1,000,000‑gallon water tank on Angel Hill to increase storage and pressure. Martinez said the village has legislative funding for parts of the work and will seek additional grants for Bosque fuel-reduction projects through New Mexico State Forestry once levee and tow projects finish inspections.

Officials also described operational steps for "red-flag" high-wind days: closing Bosque access gates, patrolling, topping off water tanks and generators, increasing staffing and suspending sales of stored water to contractors so supplies remain available for suppression. Martinez said crews check pumps and fire pumps and that, when the Riverside Drain runs dry, the village must sometimes truck water into tanks.

The council asked whether other agencies are contributing. Martinez said the MRGCD and Rio Grande Conservancy have supported vegetation projects but have not provided direct funding for hydrant lines; environmental and easement issues complicate running hydrants inside the Bosque. He added the village is pursuing alternatives outside the Bosque and remains in talks with partners, including PNM, about trimming lines and lateral maintenance.

On power shutoffs, Martinez said the village is discussing PNM's posturing about grid shutdowns during high-risk conditions. "There is a program that you can order a full grid shutdown in an event like that," he said, but cautioned that shutting the grid affects residents on wells and could disable tank-filling systems. The council heard advice on household actions—clearing defensible space, identifying alternate escape routes and preparing animal-evacuation plans with corrals, rec-center staging and outside options such as the State Fairgrounds.

The Police Chief urged residents to call 911 if they spot a fire, noting that calls can cross jurisdictions and callers should state they are in Corrales so dispatch sends the correct responders. The chief said police will document refusals to evacuate and try door-to-door visits if it is safe, but that forcible removal of property owners is not authorized under state law.

Next steps noted to the council include continuing hydrant and waterline construction, seeking grant funding for Bosque fuel reduction and holding further community emergency-preparedness trainings and recorded sessions for wider access.