Wind, Fire and Water are components of an equation outlining an imminent risk for Corrales in the coming months. Fire is the culprit destroyer, Wind--which we get plenty of--can fan the flames, and Water is needed to douse them and keep flammability down, but it can be scarce in our neck of the woods.
We’ve had a warm and dry winter with low snowpack and river flows. Maybe we’ll transition in late summer to an El Niño weather pattern with some more precipitation (?but more heat); time will tell. Nonetheless, high temperatures and dryness are predicted for the next several months. Last week, Espanola had a 100-acre bosque fire (our Bosque has 662 acres). Six months ago, I viewed the shockingly sad results of the Pacific Palisades fire in California. To be proactive is key.
Anyway, each of us should be preparing for a possibly hot fire season. Tips on what residents can do to protect themselves, their property and animals is at: https://www.corrales-nm.org/fire/page/wildfire-safety-and-preparation . In the meantime, Village fire suppression lines with hydrants continue to extend; the Angel Hill 500,000-gallon tank is almost ready to be filled; and the Fire Department is considering obtaining cameras to track lightening and hot spots in the Village.
Speaking of dry spots, the USDA declared a natural disaster in Sandoval County due to drought. That declaration opens up some USDA assistance programs to those in the affected area. Here are some links to the various programs: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/programs/disaster-assistance-programs .
The Village will be holding its next clean up day on Saturday, May 16th at the Public Works yard next to the Rec Center from 8 AM to noon. Follow the signs to drop off your household trash and yard waste (now is a great time to start creating defensible space around your home and bringing that waste to be hauled off). We cannot accept any hazardous materials, such as oil or paint, and no tires or large appliances will be accepted. If you have old electronics that need to be disposed of, you can take those to Goodwill in Albuquerque off Alameda at the south end of the Village.
At their next meeting on May 12th, Council will consider whether the Anderson lot, which is just north of the Post Office, should officially become a Village parking lot. Also, the preliminary budget will be discussed. You can view the entire agenda and read the supporting materials in the agenda packet after 5 PM on Friday at: https://www.corrales-nm.org/villagecouncil/meeting/may-12-2026-regular-council-meeting.
Be Vigilant. A black bear has been spotted on Uva Road and also around Cibola High School. A Corrales resident posted a video on Facebook of the bear: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0WzHAPtWd5cwuGKJLcaASCrWQzv3SYQgq8sEPMErM3KjWyMVpWGCVzmMZuRFrXYnYl&id=100004391104451
It’s probably hungry and thirsty and looking for uncovered trash cans or outside pet food. Unprovoked, bears will not usually attack dogs, horses or people. In hot and dry weather, they might come down from the Sandias. Occasionally, bear tracks have been spotted on Bosque trails. Please respect them. If you see a bear being actively aggressive, dial 911 for assistance. Otherwise, a bear sighting can be reported to Corrales Animal Services at 505-898-0401. Please leave a message if they are unable to answer. Additionally, sightings in residential areas can be reported to NM Game and Fish at 505-222-4700. Corrales Animal Services is not able to trap bears themselves but would enlist the assistance of NM Game and Fish.
Tickets are still available for the May 16th Corrales Garden Tour Sustainable Growing in the Desert Southwest. The tour limits the number of tickets sold to give tour goers a better opportunity to learn more about sustainable features such as rainwater harvesting, regenerative growing, and useful, nature-friendly techniques of pest control and attracting pollinators. Tickets are available at https://visitcorrales.com/garden-tour.
HEALTH AND SAFETY UPDATE
Hantavirus is in the news again with the recent cruise ship outbreak. There has only been one case of hantavirus in New Mexico in 2026 in Santa Fe County. There are many different strains of this virus, but the strain we usually see in New Mexico is transmitted by deer mice through rodent’s urine, droppings, and nesting materials. The strain on the cruise ship is a rare version found primarily in Argentina and Chile that can spread from human to human. Passengers from that ship who have returned home to the US are being monitored for symptoms but so far appear to be healthy. The CDC says risk to the public with this virus is extremely low. Key strategies for avoiding the strain common here in New Mexico include sealing your home against rodents, cleaning infested areas with disinfectants, and using gloves. You can read more about the hantavirus at https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/about/index.html.
SCAN (Sandoval County Alerts and Notifications) is the new emergency mass notification program. This program is for County employees, residents, and visitors and communicates time-sensitive information through texts, phone calls, and emails. Designed to manage critical events, it alerts users to public safety incidents, emergencies, and disasters. Enrollment is simple and open to everyone. How to sign up: Text 888777 with the keyword: SANDOVALNM or visit https://member.everbridge.net/index/93013422375032. Alerts will be sent to all platforms selected by the participants: phone (calls and texts) and email. The message will identify the critical incident and recommend next steps for safety.
UPCOMING EVENTS
TODAY – Lunch Bunch with Corrales MainStreet at Sandia Bar 12 PM
SATURDAY – Corrales Bird Walk 8 AM more information at https://www.corrales-nm.org/community/page/agriculture-village-corrales-0
SATURDAY – Stitch club at the library, 10:30 AM
SUNDAY – Growers’ Market 9 AM – noon
TUESDAY – Regular council meeting, council chambers at 4324 Corrales Road 6:30 PM
WEDNESDAY – Story Time at the library 10 AM
THURSDAY – Bosque Advisory Commission meeting, Corrales library 5:30 PM
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
5/16 – Corrales Garden Tour 9 AM to 3 PM. Tickets are $20 online at visitcorrales.com/garden-tour.
5/16 & 17 - Corrales Library Book Sale. The Friends of Corrales Library will hold their Spring Book Sale from 9 AM to 4 PM in La Entrada Park next to the Library.
5/23 – Corrales Historical Society/Casa San Ysidro Heritage Day 10 AM – 3 PM
5/24 – CHS Speaker Series “Casta: Race & Identity in Colonial New Mexico” by state historian Robert Martinez, Historic Old San Ysidro Church 2 PM Free but seating is limited
5/28 – MRGCD Community and Farmer’s Informational Meeting 9 AM – 12 PM in the Rec Center Gym
A Happy Mother’s Day to all Village moms.
Fred Hashimoto
Corrales Mayor