‘Buck Fire' burns 550 acres in western New Mexico
CATRON COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) — A fire started in western New Mexico on Wednesday evening. The 'Buck Fire' has burned 550 acres southeast of the community of Aragon.
Q&A: State demographer explains why New Mexico's population grew in 2023 and 2024
Start Date: 06/11/2025
Cause: Lightning
Size: 550 acres
Location: South of Pelona Mountain, Southwest of Magdalena and Datil and Southeast of Aragon
Resources: Type 2 IA Crew and Type 6 engine. Gila Task Force, dozer, 4-6 engines, and two Single Engine Air Tankers are on order.
Types of vegetation in the area (aka fuels): Grass and timber
Containment: N/A
Road Closures: N/A
Evacuations: N/A
Fire officials say private residences approximately 1.5 miles northwest and one mile east are under threat. There are live electric transmission lines in the vicinity of the fire. Members of the public are asked to avoid the area.
Smoke may be visible from Highway 12 southeast of Aragon and southwest of Highway 60. Smoke-sensitive individuals or people with respiratory problems/heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Strong high pressure with heat & a few storms around New Mexico
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Less-muggy conditions are present in wake of yesterday's fewer thunderstorms that formed in Eastern New Mexico with rain-free conditions now mostly across New Mexico with somewhat-gusty easterly gap winds for a few areas. Above-freezing temperatures are even confined to most of the higher peaks of the Northern Mountains with valley floor locations starting off in the upper 40s, while elsewhere is mostly starting off in the upper 50s, 60s, and lower 70s. Forecast Continues Below Investigation: Politicians sink $13M in closed New Mexico tourist attraction Space: LIST: 5 places to go stargazing in New Mexico News: Videos show man in dumpster getting dumped into waste truck in Albuquerque Trending: Albuquerque City Council votes down 'RENT' ordinance Somewhat-persistent upper-level westerly winds with less moisture, along with a slight nudge in the jet stream to the north with a high pressure system moving in overhead from the southwest, will combine with the daytime heating, as well as with the lingering low-level moisture to the east, to produce a few storms in the mountains to East New Mexico today. Elsewhere, some clouds will pass on through with temperatures warming up well into the high 80s, 90s, and above 100 degrees for most central to southern areas, while the lingering muggy conditions will lead to northern areas reaching the 70s to the 80s. Drier air aloft is ahead, but the pendulum swing pattern of muggy mornings with breezy easterly winds shifting to southwesterly drier winds in the afternoons forming storms to the east will continue ahead. Temperatures will continue to rise ahead with much clearer skies through this Father's Day weekend into early next week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
NM Highway 15 closed due to 300-acre wildfire near Silver City
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — New Mexico Highway 15 is closed to public traffic after a wildfire grew to 300 acres, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service on Thursday, June 12. According to the news release by the Forest Service, the Trout Fire was originally estimated at 26 acres and located near Forest Road 876, north of the Sheep Corral area in the Gila National Forest. The fire has now grown eastward, crossing over New Mexico Highway 15, and has grown to an estimated 300 acres. Additionally, the Forest Service reported another 8.5-acre wildfire, the Meadow Fire, near the Meadow Creek area, roughly 15 miles north of Silver City. An engine crew established a fireline, and crews are working to contain the fire. As of result of the growing Trout Fire, Highway 15 and 35 intersection south of the Ben Lilly Memorial has been closed to public traffic, the Forest Service said. The Forest Service said the cause of the fires is under investigation. The public is being 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,' the Forest Service said. The Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Incident Command Team is taking command of the Trout Fire and will transition into a Type 2 incident command organization at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 13, according to the Forest Service. Responding resources to the Trout Fire include the Gila Hotshots, two Type 6 engine crews, one Type 3 engine crew, two 10-person fire suppression modules with support from two single-engine air tankers, one Type 1 and one Type 3 helicopter, and fixed wing air attack, the Forest Service said. Additionally, the Forest Service said three more hotshot crews and two dozers have been ordered. According to the Forest Service, an emergency alert was sent out by the Grant County Office of Emergency Management, placing most of the Mimbres Valley in 'set' mode. The Mimbres valley is from the Highway 15 and 35 intersection to the Wilderness Ranger District Office. Visitors are also advised to leave recreation sites along Highway 35, including Lake Roberts Recreation Area, Mesa Campground, Upper End Campground, Sapillo Campground trailheads, and dispersed campsites, the Forest Service said. Smoke is visible from Silver City, Highway 15, and the Mimbres Valley. And smoke can be expected to settle into low-lying areas, especially during overnight and early morning hours, the Forest Service said. The Forest Service said smoke monitors have been set up at Lake Roberts and the Wilderness District Office. Real-time smoke information can be seen at In addition, the Gila National Forest has put in a stage 2 fire restrictions in effect. To learn more about fire restriction information, you can visit its website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
Santa Fe County bans ‘high-risk' fireworks for a month
SANTA FE COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) — With the Fourth of July approaching, Santa Fe County has declared severe drought conditions and banned the sale and use of certain fireworks. The county says this is for unincorporated and wildland areas. Story continues below Investigation: Politicians sink $13M in closed New Mexico tourist attraction Space: LIST: 5 places to go stargazing in New Mexico News: Videos show man in dumpster getting dumped into waste truck in Albuquerque Trending: Albuquerque City Council votes down 'RENT' ordinance The fire marshal proposed the ban on certain fireworks, including the following: Ground and hand-held sparkling devices Cone fountains Crackling devices Cylindrical fountains Flitter sparklers Ground spinners Illuminating torches Wheels The resolution went into effect June 10 through July 10, but may be extended if dry conditions continue. 'This fireworks ban is a preventive measure to protect lives, property, and the environment,' said Fire Marshal Jaome Blay. 'We urge all residents to avoid personal use of fireworks and instead attend professionally produced public displays.' The ban is part of Resolution 2025-65, which says permissible fireworks must only be used on paved or barren surfaces with a readily available water source. If someone uses one of those fireworks, they are strongly encouraged to follow these safety recommendations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.