Single Publication

Forest Service News Release

Maribeth Pecotte, Public Affairs Officer

(987) 654-3210

Maribeth.Pecotte@usda.gov

www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila

Gila National Forest issues area closure for Trout Fire

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.

Additionally, Grant County Sheriff’s Office issued a “Go” evacuation order for private properties along the western end of New Mexico Highway 35, from Sapillo Campground west to the Highway 15/35 intersection, on both sides of the highway. Private properties east of Sapillo Campground along New Mexico Highway 35 remain in “Set” status under the wildfire preparedness Ready, Set, Go program.

For official fire updates and information visit the Gila National Forest website, Gila National Forest Facebook page, Inciweb, or New Mexico Fire Information.

About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.

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Order Number: # 03-06-07-25-002

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service

Gila National Forest

Silver City Ranger District

Trout Fire Area Closure

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following is prohibited on the

National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Silver City Ranger District, Gila National

Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as

Exhibit A (the “Described Area”):

1. Going into or being upon the Described Area which is closed for public health and

safety. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(e).

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads,

Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them

from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer

that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).

2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or

firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.

DESCRIBED AREA

The Described Area lies within Township 14 South, Range 14 West, Sections 33, to

Township 14 South, Range 11 West, Sections 31, Township 16 South, Range 11 West,

Sections 18, to Township 16 South, Range 14 West, Sections 16. The Described Area

consist of all NFS lands and portions of National Forest System trails and roads within

the boundary starting at the intersection Sheep Coral Canyon Trail and Spring

Canyon Trail, following Sheep Canyon Trail to the intersection of State Hwy 15 and

State Hwy 35 then down the South side of State Hwy 35 on NFS lands to the

Wilderness Ranger Station. West along Allie Canyon Trail to Continental Divide Trail,

to the Signal Peak Road then along the Signal Peak Trail to State Hwy 15. At State

Hwy 15 and Tadpole Ridge Trail, follow Tadpole Ridge Trail west to Sheep Coral

Canyon Trail north to Spring Canyon Trail as shown specifically in Exhibit A.

Order Number: # 03-06-07-25-002

PURPOSE The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety within Trout fire area. IMPLEMENTATION 1. This Order shall be able to be implemented from June 13, 2025, at 18:00 am until rescinded. 2. A map identifying the Described Area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/gila/alerts-notices. 3. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions. 4. A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581. 5. Contact the Silver City Ranger District in Silver City, New Mexico, (575) 388-8201, and Gila National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Silver City, New Mexico, (575) 388- 8201, for more information about this Order. 6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area. 
 

Signed and issued on June 13, 2025