Single Publication

Gila National Forest

Forest Service News Release

Maribeth Pecotte, Public Affairs Officer

(987) 654-3210

Maribeth.Pecotte@usda.gov

www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila

Trout Fire evening update June 12

New Mexico Highway 15 closed to public traffic

Silver City, NM, June 12, 2025—The Trout Fire grew eastward today, crossing over New Mexico Highway 15 and resulting in closure of the highway to public traffic from the Highway 15/35 intersection south to the Ben Lilly Memorial. The Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Incident Command Team will assume command of the fire at 6:00 p.m. today and will transition to a Type 2 incident command organization tomorrow, June 13 at 6:00 p.m. With active fire behavior observed today, Trout Fire is currently estimated at 300 acres.

Trout Fire was reported early this morning. Responding resources include the Gila Hotshots, two Type 6 engine crews, one Type 3 engine crew, and two 10-person fire suppression modules with support from aerial resources including two Single Engine Air Tankers, one Type 1 and one Type 3 helicopter, and fixed wing air attack. Additionally, three more hotshot crews and two dozers have been ordered.

An emergency alert was sent out by Grant County Office of Emergency Management, placing most of the Mimbres valley (from the Highway 15/35 intersection to the Wilderness Ranger District office) in “Set” mode, under the wildfire preparedness Ready, Set, Go program. Visitors are also advised to leave developed recreation sites along Highway 35, including the Lake Roberts Recreation Area, Mesa Campground, Upper End Campground, Sapillo Campground, trailheads, and dispersed campsites.

Smoke is visible from Silver City, Highway 15, and the Mimbres valley. Smoke can be expected to settle into low-lying areas, especially during overnight and early morning hours. Smoke monitors have been set up at Lake Roberts and at the Wilderness District Office. Real-time smoke information can be obtained at Fire.AirNow.gov. The specific cause of the fire is under investigation.

Fire danger is currently extreme, and the Gila National Forest has stage 2 fire restrictions in effect. Visit Gila National Forest for fire restriction information. The public is asked to stay away from the fire area for their safety due to heavy firefighter traffic, the presence of uncontained wildfires, and the dry, volatile conditions that currently exist.

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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