Fires in or near the Gila National Forest are continuing to grow amid dry conditions.
The Trout Fire is burning north of Silver City and has prompted some evacuations, while the Buck Fire has charred acreage near Aragon and Magdalena.
As crews battle the fires in western New Mexico, a new fire has started on the Mescalero Apache Reservation in Lincoln County. This fire has led to evacuations in the Nogal Canyon area.
Trout Fire
The Trout Fire started on June 12 in the Gila National Forest and has since grown to more than 38,600 acres. As of Wednesday, the fire was 0% contained. The cause is currently under investigation. Gusty winds and high temperatures have created challenges for crews trying to battle the blaze. High winds have also limited the opportunities to fight the fire using air resources. The low humidity — less than 10% — has led to dry fuels that burn easily. An interactive evacuation map can be found here. Some of the areas that have been told to evacuate include Mimbres and San Lorenzo.
Evacuees can gather at the Grant County Convention Center in Silver City or Cobre High School in Bayard.
New Mexico Highways 35, 152 and 356 are closed to traffic due to the fire.
Crews from Rio Rancho, Kirtland Air Force Base, Las Cruces and the New Mexico National Guard have been dispatched to assist in firefighting efforts.
Buck Fire
Lightning strikes ignited the Buck Fire southeast of Aragon on June 11. The blaze has grown to more than 57,700 acres and, as of Wednesday morning, was 25% contained.
“Firefighters are using tactical firing operations to help contain the fire,” Incident Commander Lino Baca said in a message Wednesday. “These operations involve intentionally burning vegetation ahead of the main fire to remove available fuels and create control lines under conditions that can be managed. Unlike a prescribed or controlled burn, which is conducted under specific environmental conditions for land management purposes, firing operations are reactive suppression tactics used during an active wildfire to reduce intensity and guide the fire’s movement.”
Seven Springs Fire
The Seven Springs Fire is estimated to have charred around 350 acres on the Mescalero Apache Reservation. Tribal residents in Nogal Canyon have been told to evacuate. The fire was first reported Tuesday.