Amid escalating wildfire risks and insurance challenges, the Corrales Village Council met with residents on Jan. 14 to discuss the community’s fire preparedness. A presentation focused on strategies like hydrant expansions, fuel reduction projects and evacuation planning to safeguard the village.
Fire Chief Anthony Martinez, Deputy Fire Chief Tanya Lattin, and Police Chief Vic Mangiacapra emphasized the importance of community collaboration and detailed ongoing efforts to strengthen fire safety in Corrales.
“The first line of defense is yourself,†Lattin said. “You need to, I say it all the time, have a plan.â€
Lattin believes residents should be prepared and have a plan in place before an emergency occurs. She recommends checking the village’s website at corrales-nm.org/fire/page/wildfire-safety-and-preparation for tips and recommendations on preparing for wildfire emergencies.
She recommended creating a call list and designating a meeting spot in advance. Identify who to contact and where to reunite with family or household members if separated during an evacuation. Additionally, she advised having your prescriptions ready to pack or, at the very least, a list to facilitate refills.
According to Lattin, it’s essential to share your emergency plan with neighbors, family, or anyone who might assist while you’re away. If someone else is caring for your property or animals, she said to ensure they understand your plan and can act on it in your absence.
It’s also crucial to have a plan for evacuating pets or livestock. This includes securing appropriate transport, such as trailers or crates, and identifying potential destinations. The village has designated evacuation locations for large animals, but it’s important to ensure you can transport them there when needed.
According to Martinez, residents should evaluate their property for defensible space, noting that those with significant flammable vegetation may need to evacuate to a safer location if trapped.
He also said to consider alternate escape routes, especially for those living on cul-de-sacs, and to coordinate with neighbors to identify emergency access points. If evacuation isn’t possible, be prepared to shelter in place, particularly if your property has strong defensible space.
“We’ll be more than willing to go to your home and do a self-evaluation,†Martinez said. “We have a checklist and we’ll go and evaluate your home on the risk of wildfire and make recommendations to you and try to harden up your home in the event of a wildfire.â€
Lattin said everyone needs to register for Code Red, the emergency notification system used by Sandoval County and the Village. She said it’s crucial for alerts such as shelter-in-place orders, road closures or evacuations. Both the police and fire departments can send notifications through the system.
According to Martinez, Lattin, and Mangiacapra, residents are not legally required to evacuate during a “mandatory evacuation†in New Mexico. However, while residents have the right to remain in their homes, ignoring an evacuation order can have serious consequences. It can put individuals at risk and hinder first responders’ ability to perform their duties effectively.
Lattin said, “I cannot physically pick you up or ask you to leave; you are welcome to stay.â€
Mangiacapra added that if it’s safe, officials will go door to door to encourage evacuation, “It will be recorded on our body cameras, and if they refuse, it’s on them.â€
Before the presentation, Village Administrator Ron Curry talked about the rise of “insurance deserts,†where homeowners face challenges securing insurance due to wildfire risks, which have started to affect Corrales.
According to Curry, two residents have struggled to obtain home insurance. He said that many Corrales residents are familiar with insurers asking about proximity to a fire hydrant and emphasized that the village is actively expanding its hydrant system to address this concern.
Martinez outlined several village projects to expand the fire suppression system. He said a hydrant has been installed and is fully functional on Perea Road. A water line extension project is currently underway on Andrews Lane, running from behind the school to Dixon, with the next phase planned to extend to the Bosque.
“Our goal is to have our first-ever fire hydrant near the Bosque this spring,†Martinez said.
According to Martinez, the village employs a multifaceted approach to fuel reduction, combining community engagement, grant funding, interagency collaboration, code enforcement and strategic planning to mitigate wildfire risks, particularly in the vulnerable Bosque area.
He highlighted efforts such as firewood pickup events and the completion of the Toe Levy clearing project, which helps reduce fuel load and protect the levee’s integrity.
Martinez also pointed to the return of the inmate work program, which has been a valuable resource for fuel reduction projects. The village is collaborating with PNM on vegetation management around power lines and is working to create designated safety zones for residents during wildfires. Additionally, the village has secured a grant from New Mexico State Forestry to further these initiatives.
In other news
During the Corraleños Forum, residents expressed concerns over changes to the draft Comprehensive Plan. Some criticized the village administration for revising the plan without the committee’s involvement, viewing it as disrespectful and lacking transparency. Residents worried this could discourage future volunteerism, as people may hesitate to invest time if their efforts are not valued.
The council also approved Stuck Lizard Vineyard’s request to wholesale wine without a tasting room or winery. The vineyard has applied for a wine grower’s and wholesale license but does not plan to establish a retail operation.