EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Firefighters battling the Trout Fire in the Gila National Forest “made steady progress” on Sunday, June 15, the fire incident management team said in an update issued on Sunday night.
The fire, burning 12 miles north of Silver City, remained at 12,330 acres, but is still 0 percent contained.
“Firefighters made steady progress on the Trout Fire (Sunday). In coordination with ground crews, aerial resources — including helicopters and air tankers — are conducting strategic water and retardant drops to slow the fire’s spread and reinforce containment efforts. Structure protection crews on the northern and eastern portions of the fire are actively installing hose lines and implementing structure protection measures within communities.,” fire officials said in their update.
At this time, the fire remains south of New Mexico Highway 35.
Sunday afternoon, firefighters were aided by clouds moving into the region, which helped to moderate fire activity.
“Crews responded to and controlled several spot fires that crossed containment lines, including Meadow Creek Road into the Aztec Park area,” fire officials said.
Firefighting operations will continue throughout the night where needed in and around communities and along State Highway 15.
Resources will concentrate efforts on the northern, eastern, and southeastern portions of the fire, fire officials said.
A public meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, June 16, at Grant County Business and
Conference Center, 3031 Highway 180, in Silver City.
This meeting will be livestreamed on the Gila National Forest Facebook page. You can click on the link here.
A Facebook account is not necessary to join the livestream.
The high-pressure system over the region will begin to weaken on Monday. Temperatures will remain in the 90s with extremely low single-digit humidity and increased winds, fire officials said.
The Gila National Forest has issued a closure order for the area.
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are also in place. You can click here to learn more about the fire restrictions.
A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in effect to allow firefighters to do their jobs. Here is a link to learn more about the flight restriction.
Read: Read More