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NO homes or other structures have been impacted by the fire.

I would like to provide an update on the Trout Fire. The fire has been determined to be at 3910 acres. As a matter of public safety, residents in the Sapillo – Lake Roberts communities were placed in “Go” status and ordered to evacuate. New Mexico State Police evacuated residents in the communities along Highway 35 from the Highway 35/15 intersection to the Sapillo Campground. No further evacuation orders are expected tonight.

NO homes or other structures have been impacted by the fire. Highway 35 is closed at the Sapillo Campground for all incoming traffic. The Red Cross is staffing the evacuation shelter at the Convention Center in Silver City located at 3031 Highway 180 East in Silver City. Arrangements for evacuations of pets and animals have also been organized. Pets will be accommodated by the High Desert Humane Society and the rodeo grounds at the Southwest Horseman's Association are open to receive evacuated livestock, and personnel are on site.

Trout Fire management being transferred to larger team as evacuations and closures remain in place

Acres: 3,910                                                                                   Start Date: Thursday, June 12, 2025

Location: 12 miles north of Silver City, NM                                     Personnel: 282

Containment: 0%                                                                           Cause: Under investigation

Summary: 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 inbriefed 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.

Grant County issues evacuation order on west end of New Mexico Highway 35

Silver City, NM, June 13, 2025—Gila National Forest has issued a public safety closure order for Gila National Forest lands and recreation sites threatened by the Trout Fire. The closure area is south and west of New Mexico Highway 35, north of Allie Canyon Trail, Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, Signal Peak Trail, and Tadpole Ridge Trail, and east of Sheep Corral Canyon Trail and Forest Road 4083V in the Sheep Corral area.

All National Forest System lands within the closure area are closed to public entry, including developed recreation sites along New Mexico Highway 35 (Allie Canyon Trailhead, Sapillo Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Trailhead, Railroad Canyon Trailhead, Pictograph Canyon Trailhead, Purgatory Chasm Trailhead, Sapillo Group Campground, Mesa Campground, Upper End Campground, Lake Roberts Day Use Area, Lake Roberts Picnic Area, Vista Ruins Picnic Area, and the Lake Roberts Recreation Area.

[Editor's Note: With the help of a new reporter, the Beat is finally starting to catch up with past Grant County Commission meetings. This one addresses the March 13, 2025 regular meeting.]

By Michael LaReaux

After the Pledge of Allegiance and salute to the New Mexico flag, the Grant Countyt Commission began the meeting with the approval of the regular meeting agenda. District 2 Commissioner Eloy Medina made the motion, and District 4 Commissioner Eddie Flores seconded. The motion carried without opposition.

District 1 Commissioner and Chair Chris Ponce opened the floor for public input. The first to take the podium was David Barton of Silver Acres. Mr. Barton expressed concern about cars speeding in his neighborhood. He spoke of people doing "70 or 80 miles an hour" down his street. When he brought his concerns to the Sheriff's Department, he was unsatisfied with their response. "Their answer is they don't have enough help." His efforts to call attention to the problem with public officials hasn't resulted in any meaningful action. Barton expressed hope that something could be done about the problem.

ROAD CLOSURE:
CLOSURE- Silver City Pinos Altos 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.

Closure, NM 35 eastbound from mile marker 27, 0.5 miles south of NM 15 to mile marker 19, 8 miles south of NM 15. Roadway to be used for evacuations only.

Update on the Trout Fire. The fire has been determined to be at 2170 acres.

The Trout Fire is experiencing additional rapid growth and residents of Sapillo – Lake Roberts are in danger. The “Go” mode has been implemented and residents in these communities have been advised to evacuate.

Residents are advised to evacuate via Hwy 35 towards Mimbres. An evacuation shelter has been opened at the Convention Center in Silver City located at 3031 Highway 180 East in Silver City. Arrangements for evacuations of pets and animals have also been organized.

Type 3 Incident Management Team

MARCUS CORNWELL – INCIDENT COMMANDER

Notification for Public Health and Safety

Press Release – Friday, June 13, 2025

Trout Fire prompts highway closure, advisory to leave developed recreation sites

Acres: 2,170                                                                        Start Date: Thursday, June 12, 2025
Location: 12 miles north of Silver City, NM       Personnel: 144
Containment: 0%                                                             Cause: Under investigation

I would like to provide an update on the Trout Fire. The fire is now estimated at 2000 acres. The USFS flew a drone over the fire last night and are currently assessing the data and will provide a more precise acreage later this morning.

Currently there are NO evacuation orders in place. Residents in the Lake Roberts-Sapillo area are currently in the "Set" mode. The decision to place these residents in the Set mode was based on the rapid fire growth and the limited availability of evacuation corridors. With Highway 15 closed, Highway 35 is the only evacuation corridor. This decision was made to ensure the safety of the community.