UPDATE 6/15/25 at 12:00 p.m.
The Southwest Area Incident Management Team issued an update on the Trout Fire Sunday. Activity on the Trout Fire increased significantly Saturday as the fire advanced eastward toward the State Highway 35 corridor. Firefighters are actively engaged in around-the-clock suppression efforts, with both day and night operations underway to take advantage of every opportunity to slow the fire’s progression and strengthen containment lines.
An evacuation shelter is available at the Convention Center in Silver City (3031 Highway 180 East, Silver City, NM). High Desert Humane Society will accommodate pets and the rodeo grounds at the Southwest Horseman's Association are open to receive livestock.
The fire grew to 12,330 acres with 0% containment.
Closures remain in place for highways 35 and 15 according to the New Mexico Department of Transportation.
UPDATE 6/14/25 at 12:25 p.m.
Closures and evacuations: Grant County Sheriff’s Office and New Mexico State Police issued a “Go” evacuation order for private lands at the western end of New Mexico Highway 35, from the Highway 15/35 intersection east to Sapillo Campground. Private lands east of Sapillo Campground remain in “Set” mode under the Ready, Set, Go program. The Gila National Forest has issued a closure order for all developed recreation sites along Highway 35 and a swath of Highway 15, as well as adjacent National Forest System lands. Details are available on the Gila National Forest website and Trout Fire InciWeb page.
The Trout Fire north of Silver City continued active growth to 3,910 acres today under hot, dry, windy conditions. The Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Incident Command Team in-briefed the Southwest Area Type Complex Incident Command Team 4 at 6:00 p.m. Friday with a plan to transfer command to Team 4 at 6:00 a.m. Saturday.
UPDATE 6/13/25 at 9:45 a.m.
Grant County Office of Emergency Management has placed much of the Mimbres and Sapillo Creek valleys in “Set” mode under the Ready, Set, Go program. Visitors were advised last night to evacuate from developed recreation sites at Lake Roberts and other adjacent areas. The forest is working on establishing a closure order to close all developed recreation sites along Highway 35 and a swath of Highway 15, as well as adjacent National Forest System lands.
This is a developing story - please check back for additional information as it becomes available.
Firefighters responded to two new wildfires approximately 15 miles north of Silver City Thursday. The fires are located east and west of New Mexico Highway 15, in the Meadow Creek and Sheep Corral areas.
The Meadow Fire was reported Wednesday night and is located near the end of a spur road in the Meadow Creek area. It is burning in ponderosa pine, oak, and grass. An engine crew worked the fire overnight, establishing fire line around the 8.5-acre fire. Another engine crew, along with the Northern Colorado Type 2 hand crew took over the Meadow Fire Thursday morning and are working to establish containment.
The Trout Fire, estimated at 26 acres was reported early Thursday morning and is burning in ponderosa pine, juniper, and brush. It is located near Forest Road 876 (Trout Creek Road) north of the Sheep Corral area. Ground resources including the Gila Hotshots, an engine crew, and eight-person fire suppression module are being supported with aerial resources including two Single Engine Air Tankers, a Type 3 helicopter, and fixed wing air attack.
The public is asked to avoid the Meadow Creek, Trout Creek, and Sheep Corral areas for their safety due to heavy firefighter traffic, the presence of uncontained wildfires, and the dry, volatile conditions that currently exist.
Smoke is likely to be visible from Highway 15 and the Mimbres Valley. Smoke monitors have been set up at Lake Roberts and at the Wilderness District Office. Real-time smoke information can be obtained at AirNow.gov. The specific cause of the fires is under investigation.