Latest news with #MeadowFire
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wildfires in Gila National Forest force road closures, evacuations
The Meadow Fire, Buck Fire and Trout Fire are burning in the Gila National Forest. The Trout and Meadow fires are consuming acreage just north of silver City, New Mexico, near Highway 15. The Trout Fire had grown to over 2,000 acres by June 13 after igniting June 12. The fire's growth was driven by wind and dry conditions, burning through timber, brush and grass. The Meadow Fire ignited June 11 and was reported around 9 acres on June 12. Firefighters were working to establish containment. Officials said the fire was burning through pine and oak trees and scrub grass. The Buck Fire is burning southeast of Aragon, also in the Gila National Forest. The fire was reported June 11 and is suspected to be caused by lightning. As of June 13 the fire had burned 16,000 acres. Portions of the Gila National Forest were closed to the public as a precaution, as the Trout Fire continues to grow. More: Largest wildfires in New Mexico history In a news release June 13, the U.S. Forest Service announced closures south and west of New Mexico Highway 35, north of Allie Canyon Trail, the continental Divide National Scenic Trail, Signal Peak and Tadpole Ridge trails and east of Sheep Corral Canyon. A "Go" order was issued to those living along the western end of New Mexico Highway 35 from Sapillo Campground to the intersection of Highway 15/35. Road closures include NM 15 northbound and southbound from mile marker 17, 10 miles north of Pinos Altos to mile marker 22, 15 miles north of Pinos Altos, according to the New Mexico Dept. of Transportation. New Mexico 35 eastbound from mile marker 27, 0.5 miles south of NM 15 to mile marker 19, 8 miles south of NM 15 are to be used for evacuations only. Wildfire smoke map: Track fires and ref flag warnings across the US This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Gila National Forest wildfires cause evacuations, road closures
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- 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
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Trout and Meadow Fires burn over 2 dozen acres north of Silver City
SILVER CITY, N.M. (KRQE) — The public is asked to avoid the Meadow Creek, Trout Creek, and Sheep Corral areas on the Gila National Forest as first responders work to contain two fires. The Meadow Fire and the Trout Fire have burned just over 30 acres in total as of Thursday afternoon. The fires are about 15 miles north of Silver City in southwest New Mexico. They are located both east and west of NM Highway 15. 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 Start Date / Time: Reported early Thursday morning Cause: N/A Size: 26 acres 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: 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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
