Corrales Fire Dept. Keeps Busy with Rio Grande Water Rescues

The Corrales Fire Department took part in two seperate water rescues from the Rio Grande last weekend. 

According to Corrales Fire Chief Anthony Martinez, multiple fire agencies, including Sandoval County, Bernalillo County and Rio Rancho, aided CFD in rescuing a small boat from a downed tree in the river and a few people on flotation devices that officials say were unsuitable for the river. 

Martinez said that some of those rescued were not wearing life vests.  "Life vest are the law and they save lives," he said.  

A crime and safety update from the village urged people to take percautions.

"Wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket while on a personal watercraft in New Mexico is not only the law, it’s common sense," it says. "Please don’t unnecessarily endanger your life or the lives of rescue personnel by getting on the water without a proper fitting USCG approved life jacket." 

Recently, the Rio Grande has seen high water levels because of snowmelt-run off from Colorado and northern New Mexico. 

Martinez said that people are coming to the river unprepared for the conditions and he has urged people to stay away. According to Martinez, the high flow can cause rapid changes of direction in the river and debris coming from the north create hazards in the water. 

"We saw cottonwood trees coming down the river," he said. 

Martinez said that CFD will have a presence in the bosque to educate and monitor visitors to the river. He does not expect the dangerous water conditions to slow down anytime soon.