Front Page News

By Lynn Janes

On May 23, 2025, the board of regents held a regular meeting at Western New Mexico University. The board consisted of Steven Neville, chair (online), Joseph "Dean" Reed (online), John Wertheim (online) and WNMU student Keana Huerta.

New business

Neville said he and Wertheim had found a firm to help with the interim president search. The firm contacted was AGB (association of governing boards) interim search service. Wertheim said they recommend using this firm. They had looked at a few options and this one had been recommended by a member of the University of New Mexico board of regents. This firm does a lot of searching around the country and is well known. They keep a database of people that have served as president in other institutions. In their process they can also take in resumes of any local people interested in the position. The regents have had a number express interest. This position will be for six months to a year.

By Mary Alice Murphy

[Editor's Note: This was from the Monday night meeting and we are going to start writing the Friday night meeting. In the effort to get to the second article, this one was not proofed. Excuse typos and if something is confusing, contact, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.]

Forest Service Public Information Officer Starr Farrell served as the facilitator for the June 12, 2025 public meeting on the Trout Fire. She reported that at that time, the fire had grown to 18,278 acres. "Containment is 0% and we have 755 personnel on the fire. During this community meeting, we're going to have an opportunity to answer some questions."

By Michael LaReaux

The Grant County Commission April 8, 2025 work session began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a salute to the flag of New Mexico. When no citizens came forward to take advantage of the opportunity to address the Commission, the meeting moved on to presentations.

Dan Otero, DBA, of Hidalgo Medical Services, spoke first. He outlined the organization's recent history, speaking about the 2018 grant which enabled HMS to serve the needs of seniors in Hidalgo County. He went on to discuss the Compassion For Seniors program started in 2021, which focused on meeting quality of life needs based on the income level of the seniors being served. Since that time, $130,000 in support was given to 222 seniors. According to Dr. Otero, this support came in the form of direct assistance, such as replacing water heaters, repairing cars, paying utility bills, and providing transportation to the Mayo Clinic for medical care. The funding which enabled this assistance has come to an end. HMS responded quickly, and most seniors remained happy with the services they received. According to a recent survey, 92 percent were satisfied with the service, and 94 percent of the employees were satisfied with their employment. Ten of the thirteen employees rated themselves either connected or very connected to the company's mission.

 Southwest Area Complex Incident Management Team TEAM 4 – Andrew Mandell – Incident Commander

Containment increases on the Trout Fire as crews prepare for a weather shift

Morning Update for June 22, 2025

MAP, smoke outlooks, report in Spanish and note from Sheriff's Office on road closures at the bottom.

Fire Information Phone: 575-323-8964 (8 am – 8 pm)

Acres: 46,796                           Start Date: June 12, 2025                 Location: 12 miles north of Silver City, NM

Cause: Under investigation            Personnel: 1,421                   Fuels: Grass, brush, and timber

Containment: 19%

ROAD CLOSURES:

CLOSURE- Silver City, Pinos Altos, Lake Roberts & Mimbres Area

Closure, NM 15 northbound and southbound from mile marker 17, 10 miles north of Pinos Altos to mile marker 22, 15 miles north of Pinos Altos. Closed due to a forest fire. Roadway to be used for evacuations only.

Closure, NM 35 eastbound from mile marker 0 at NM 152 to mile marker 27, 0.5 miles south of NM 15. Closed due to forest fire. Roadway to be used for evacuations only.

Closure, NM 152, NM 356 & NM 61 Closures removed.

Buck Fire Update
Sunday June 22, 2025

Reported date: June 11, 2025                    Containment: 88 %                  Cause: Lightning

Size: 57,753 acres                     Personnel: 264                    Fuels: Grass, timber

Strategy: Full Suppression                              Fire behavior: Minimal, Smoldering

Operations: Yesterday, crews successfully secured the northern section of uncontained fireline. Today, they are focused on mopping up and patrolling for any remaining hotspots in that area. One hotshot crew will continue working deeper into the northern interior to ensure no residual heat remains. Chipping operations are nearly complete, reducing fuel that accumulated during suppression efforts. Engines will patrol the southern and southeastern fire edges today, monitoring for any lingering smoke following yesterday's high winds. The roads group is continuing to repair and improve access routes that were heavily utilized during fire operations. Fire managers are also in the process of implementing a comprehensive suppression repair plan to address all impacted areas.

 Southwest Area Complex Incident Management Team TEAM 4 – Andrew Mandell – Incident Commander 

Trout Fire suppression efforts are ongoing Evacuations remain in place for public safety amid flash flooding potential

Evening Update for June 21, 2025 

Fire Information Phone: 575-323-8964 (8 am – 8 pm) 

Acres: 46,359                                        Start Date: June 12, 2025 

Location: 12 miles north of Silver City, NM                           Cause: Under investigation 

Personnel: 1,421                                Fuels: Grass, brush, and timber            Containment: 19% 

Southwest Area Complex Incident Management Team TEAM 4 – Andrew Mandell – Incident Commander

Firefighters continue containments efforts

Morning Update for June 21, 2025

MAP, Spanish report and smoke outlooks below the article

Fire Information Phone: 575-323-8964 (8 am – 8 pm)

Acres: 46,359                                      Start Date: June 12, 2025

Location: 12 miles north of Silver City, NM                               Cause: Under investigation

Personnel: 1,371 Fuels:                          Grass, brush, and timber                       Containment: 11%

Overnight Highlights: The firefighters continued to work throughout the night securing the line and using unmanned aircraft systems, UAS or drones, with infrared systems to identify remaining hot spots along Highway 35. The southwest side of the fire showed active fire behavior. Retardant dropped by aircraft yesterday was instrumental in moderating the fire, located behind Signal Peak. Firefighters built out additional contingency lines and reinforced lines around the perimeter of the fire.

Daytime Operations: Today, along the north and northwest side of the fire, crews will continue the work from yesterday focusing on addressing residual heat and shoring up the perimeter around residences and values. Contingency lines are in place along the southeastern side of the fire, while the firefighters continue their direct attack in the area. Firefighters are actively engaged in trying to hold the fire north of Signal Peak Road. Residences on the northern edges of the Pinos Altos area should use caution due to firefighters entering the area to continue work. Aviation will continue its support of the firefighters on the ground with retardant drops and water bucket drops throughout the day.

Evacuations as of June 20, 2025, 9 p.m. MDT:

GO (Level 3) – Zones 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 26

SET (Level 2) – Zones 8, 9, 14B, 16, 27

READY (Level 1) – Zones 14A, 15B, 28, 29

Interactive evacuation map https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/interactivelegend/index.html?appid=4d6aa2593621469692914966de85cfa4 

The Red Cross has established an evacuation shelter at the Grant County Convention Center (3031 US-180, Silver City, NM 88061). High Desert Humane Society will accommodate pets, and the rodeo grounds at the Southwest Horseman's Association are open to receive livestock.

Donations: Material donations can only be accepted by the Salvation Army. Donations may be dropped off from 9 am to 5 pm at the Silver City Recreation Center, 1016 N Silver Street, Silver City, NM 8806. Financial donations are accepted by the American Red Cross and Salvation Army.

Weather & Smoke: Sunny skies are expected in the morning, becoming partly cloudy by afternoon. Gusty southwest winds may reach up to 25 mph. Detailed smoke information can be found at https://www.wildlandfiresmoke.net.

Closures & Fire Restrictions: Road closures: https://www.nmroads.com/default.html?v=202501200

Gila National Forest Closure order: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/alerts/trout-fire-area-closure-updated- 6172025  [Editor's Note: This link does not work!) But this one should: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/alerts/trout-fire-area-closure-updated-6172025

Stage 2 Fire Restrictions:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/alerts/stage-2-fire-restrictions 

Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=detail_5_3951 .

More Information:

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/nmgnf-trout-fire

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GilaNForest

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