Evacuations ordered in New Mexico as wildfires scorch over 80,000 acres
Two wildfires – the Trout Fire and the Buck Fire – are raging in southwest New Mexico and have closed part of a national forest.
Two wildfires fueled by extreme drought and dry heat have burned over 80,000 acres in New Mexico, prompting evacuation orders and closing part of a national forest.
The Trout Fire, which began on June 12, has burned 14,706 acres and was 0% contained as of late June 17. The fire's cause is still unknown, but weather conditions helped it quickly grow and cross a state highway, according to the National Forest Service. It's burning in Gila National Forest, about 15 miles away from Silver City in the southwest part of the state with a population of nearly 10,000.
There were 1,980 homes evacuated in the zones threatened by the Trout Fire, spokesperson Stefan La-Sky said.
Another fire, dubbed the Buck Fire, was started on June 11 by a lightning strike during a thunderstorm and has spread in Catron County. It has burned 57,736 acres and was 15% contained as of late June 17, according to New Mexico Fire Information.
"The team is working diligently to limit fire growth while minimizing impacts to grazing areas by keeping the fire footprint as small as possible. With fuels advisories in effect and limited resources available in the event of an emergency, firefighter and public safety remains our highest priority," Incident Commander Lino Baca said of the Buck Fire.
New Mexico governor declares emergency amid wildfires
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a state of emergency on June 17 in response to the growing Trout Fire, her office said.
“New Mexicans are all too familiar with the devastation that comes from wildfires that bring danger and destruction to everything in their paths,” Lujan Grisham said. “I appreciate our federal partners for taking this threat seriously and for doing their part in supporting the responders who are working their hardest to protect the community.”
Lujan Grisham said she secured Fire Management Assistance Grants, which allows the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to request firefighting crews, fire engines and other support from other states or the federal government.
Crews battle flames amid severe fire weather
The wildfires have been fueled by hot, dry weather. The majority of Grant County, where the Trout Fire is burning, has been in an area of "exceptional drought" for the last two weeks, and in an "extreme drought" condition for three months, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Temperatures on June 18 in the Silver City are expected to reach 94 degrees and maintain similar temperatures for the next few days, according to the National Weather Service in El Paso, Texas, and Santa Teresa, New Mexico. Lowland areas could see highs in triple digits. The dry conditions helping the flames spread will persist through at least June 20, forecasters said.
"Hot temperatures are forecasted to continue through the week ahead. Combined with and very low relative humidity and low fuel moisture levels, fire conditions will remain elevated into much of next week," according to a Trout Fire status report.