SILVER CITY, N.M. (KRQE) — The Trout Fire is burning about 15 miles north of Silver City. An emergency alert was sent out by Grant County Office of Emergency Management, placing most of the Mimbres valley in “Set” mode, under the wildfire preparedness Ready, Set, Go program. Officials say the fire crossed New Mexico Highway 15 which led the closure of traffic from the Highway 15/35 intersection south to the Ben Lilly Memorial. The fire is an estimated 300 acres as of 5:45 p.m. June 12, 2025.
Officials are advising visitors to leave recreation sites along Highway 35, including the Lake Roberts Recreation Area, Mesa Campground, Upper End Campground, Sapillo Campground, trailheads, and dispersed campsites.
Trout Fire
- Start Date / Time: Reported early Thursday morning
- Cause: N/A
- Size: Estimated 300 acres as of 5:45 p.m. June 12.
- Location: Forest Road 876 (Trout Creek Road) north of Sheep Corral area
- Resources: Ground resources, including the Gila Hotshots, an engine crew, and an 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
- Types of vegetation in the area (aka fuels): Ponderosa pine, juniper, brush
- Containment: N/A
- Road Closures: New Mexico Highway 15 from the Highway 15/35 intersection south to the Ben Lilly Memorial
- Evacuations: SET status for Mimbres valley from the Highway 15/35 intersection to the Wilderness Ranger District office.
A second fire was reported in the same area, approximately 15 miles north of Silver City. The Meadow fire is located near the end of a spur road in the Meadow Creek area. As of Thursday evening the fire has burned an estimated 8.5 acres.
Meadow Fire
- Start Date / Time: Reported Wednesday night
- Cause: N/A
- Size: 8.5 acres
- Location: Meadow Creek area
- Resources: Two engine crews along with the Northern Colorado Type 2 hand crew
- Types of vegetation in the area (aka fuels): N/A
- Containment: N/A
- Road Closures: N/A
- Evacuations: N/A
The cause of both fires is under investigation. Fire danger is currently rated “extreme,” and the Gila National Forest is in stage 2 fire restrictions at this time.
