EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Trout Fire has not grown on Tuesday, June 17, but fire officials expect that hot, dry windy conditions will contribute to “very active fire behavior and spread,” the fire incident management team said in an update sent out on Tuesday evening.
The fire, which is burning about 12 miles north of Silver City in the Gila National Forest, remains at an estimated 24,706 acres with 0 percent containment.
Evacuation levels have been changing frequently throughout the day and the public is encouraged to use the interactive evacuation map by clicking here.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Grant County officials said that 329 residences were ordered evacuated and another 900-plus were in the ready status to evacuate.
The fire started on on June 12 and its cause remains under investigation.
About 875 firefighters are on scene battling the blaze.
“On the northeast side of the fire, firefighters are removing vegetation between Soldier Canyon to Highway 35 to slow the progression of the fire. Fire retardant is being utilized to slow fire spread south towards Signal Peak. Smoke is impacting local communities creating moderate to unhealthy conditions,” fire officials said.
Detailed information on smoke conditions can be found here.
These are the evacuation levels as of 8 p.m. on Tuesday:
GO (Level 3) – Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9,10, 11, 12, 26.
SET (Level 2) – Zones 7, 27.
READY (Level 1) – Zones 28, 29
Additional evacuation areas will be identified as conditions change.
The Red Cross has established an evacuation shelter at Grant County Convention Center, 3031 US Highway 180 in Silver City and Cobre High School, 1300 Tom Foy Blvd. in Bayard.
High Desert Humane Society will accommodate pets, and the rodeo grounds at the Southwest Horseman’s Association are open to receive livestock.
The Gila National Forest has issued a closure order for the area. Click here to learn more.
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are also in place. Click here to learn about the fire restrictions.
A temporary flight restriction is in effect to allow firefighters to do their job. Click here to learn about the flight restriction.
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