Trout Fire now 38,682 acres
SILVER CITY, New Mexico (KVIA) -- The Trout Fire is now burning 38,682 acres north of Silver City. Officials say that the fire is currently 0% contained.
Update (June 17, 2025): The New Mexico Department of Transportation issued the following closure notices in the area surrounding the Trout Fire. The fire is burning in the Gila Wilderness.
The department specified that the roads listed below should only be used for evacuations.
- 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 eastbound from mile marker 2, 2 miles east of Santa Clara to mile marker 40, Kingston. Closed due to forest fire. Roadway to be used for evacuations only.
- Closure, NM 356 southbound from mile marker 5, Hanover to mile marker 2 Hanover Junction. Closed due to forest fire. Roadway to be used for evacuations only.
- Closure, NM 61 eastbound and westbound at mile marker 24, 1 mile south of NM 152. Closed due to forest fire. Roadway to be used for evacuations only.
The department also included a map of the closures:
Update (June 17, 2025): New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham issued an emergency declaration and secured Fire Management Assistance Grants for the Trout Fire.
"Both actions provide additional resources to assist with firefighting efforts in Grant County," a spokesperson for the Governor's Office explained. "More specifically, Executive Order 2025-235 directs the New Mexico Department of Finance Administration to allocate $750,000 to the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (DHSEM) for emergency response efforts including the deployment of the New Mexico National Guard."
The spokesperson says that the State Emergency Operations Center is coordinating resources. There is a shelter for evacuees at the Grant County Business & Conference Center, located at 3031 US-180 in Silver City.
Update (June 16, 2025): The Trout Fire grew to 18,278 acres over the weekend and is now at 0% containment.
"The Trout Fire perimeter experienced noticeable growth over the weekend, specifically along the west, north and east flanks. Last night, crews actively patrolled and monitored the area, conducting firing operations to protect private inholdings and successfully holding established containment lines," a spokesperson for the Southwest Area Incident Management Team explained. "Residents and local communities will notice an increase in incident traffic as additional personnel and resources arrive on scene to support ongoing suppression efforts and strengthen operational capacity."
Officials just released this interactive map of the Trout Fire.
The Buck Fire, located north of the Gila National Forest, has now burned to 33,000 acres.
Update (June 13, 2025): The Trout Fire is now 2,170 acres and 0% contained.
Update (5:48 PM): The Trout Fire is currently at 300 acres.
ORIGINAL STORY (June 12, 2025): Firefighters near Silver City are working to put out two wildfires: the Meadow Fire and the Trout Fire.
The fires are located east and west of New Mexico Highway 15, about 15 miles north of Silver City.
The Meadow Fire was first reported last night and is currently about 8.5 acres. It's located at the end of a spur road in the Meadow Creek area.
The Trout Fire is about 26 acres at the moment. It was first reported this morning and is located near Forest Road 876 (Trout Creek Road).
Land and air crews are working now to put out the fires. The public is asked to avoid the areas for their safety and to allow firefighters to work.
"Smoke is likely to be visible from Highway 15 and the Mimbres valley," a Forest Service official said. "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."
