Front Page News

[Editor's Note: With the help of a new reporter, the Beat is finally starting to catch up with past Grant County Commission meetings. This one addresses the March 13, 2025 regular meeting.]

By Michael LaReaux

After the Pledge of Allegiance and salute to the New Mexico flag, the Grant Countyt Commission began the meeting with the approval of the regular meeting agenda. District 2 Commissioner Eloy Medina made the motion, and District 4 Commissioner Eddie Flores seconded. The motion carried without opposition.

District 1 Commissioner and Chair Chris Ponce opened the floor for public input. The first to take the podium was David Barton of Silver Acres. Mr. Barton expressed concern about cars speeding in his neighborhood. He spoke of people doing "70 or 80 miles an hour" down his street. When he brought his concerns to the Sheriff's Department, he was unsatisfied with their response. "Their answer is they don't have enough help." His efforts to call attention to the problem with public officials hasn't resulted in any meaningful action. Barton expressed hope that something could be done about the problem.

ROAD CLOSURE:
CLOSURE- Silver City Pinos Altos Area
Closure, 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. Closed due to a forest fire.

Closure, NM 35 eastbound from mile marker 27, 0.5 miles south of NM 15 to mile marker 19, 8 miles south of NM 15. Roadway to be used for evacuations only.

Update on the Trout Fire. The fire has been determined to be at 2170 acres.

The Trout Fire is experiencing additional rapid growth and residents of Sapillo – Lake Roberts are in danger. The “Go” mode has been implemented and residents in these communities have been advised to evacuate.

Residents are advised to evacuate via Hwy 35 towards Mimbres. An evacuation shelter has been opened at the Convention Center in Silver City located at 3031 Highway 180 East in Silver City. Arrangements for evacuations of pets and animals have also been organized.

Type 3 Incident Management Team

MARCUS CORNWELL – INCIDENT COMMANDER

Notification for Public Health and Safety

Press Release – Friday, June 13, 2025

Trout Fire prompts highway closure, advisory to leave developed recreation sites

Acres: 2,170                                                                        Start Date: Thursday, June 12, 2025
Location: 12 miles north of Silver City, NM       Personnel: 144
Containment: 0%                                                             Cause: Under investigation

I would like to provide an update on the Trout Fire. The fire is now estimated at 2000 acres. The USFS flew a drone over the fire last night and are currently assessing the data and will provide a more precise acreage later this morning.

Currently there are NO evacuation orders in place. Residents in the Lake Roberts-Sapillo area are currently in the "Set" mode. The decision to place these residents in the Set mode was based on the rapid fire growth and the limited availability of evacuation corridors. With Highway 15 closed, Highway 35 is the only evacuation corridor. This decision was made to ensure the safety of the community.

[Editor's Note: With the help of a new reporter, the Beat will begin to catch up with county meetings that fell through the cracks due to not enough time for the editor to write them. This addresses the March 11, 2025, Grant CountyCommission work session.]

By Michael LaReaux

No motion for agenda discussion or public input took place.

Under director reports, County Fire Chief, Roger Groves, presented first.He said fire activity is gradually increasing. The department is working on financial reports for the state. Reviews of volunteer fire departments continue. Last month stations were inspected in conjunction with the Fire Marshall's office to determine ISO status. Lower Mimbres VFD is no long on probation. An ISO inspection is necessary to improve their rating for property owner insurance rates. ISO rates on a scale of one to ten, with one being the most desirable score and ten being the least desirable. Most stations hold a rating of five.

The Grant OEM (Office of Emergency Management) would like to provide an update on the Meadow-Trout Fire. The fire unfortunately jumped Hwy 15 and is actively burning and has grown to @ 500 acres. NM Hwy 15 is closed to public traffic from the Hwy 15/35 intersection south to the Ben Lilly Memorial.

An IPAWS emergency alert was sent out by the Grant OEM placing most of the Mimbres valley (from the Highway 15/35 intersection to the Wilderness Ranger District office) in “Set” mode, under the wildfire preparedness Ready, Set, Go program.

New Mexico Highway 15 closed to public traffic

Silver City, NM, June 12, 2025—The Trout Fire grew eastward today, crossing over New Mexico Highway 15 and resulting in closure of the highway to public traffic from the Highway 15/35 intersection south to the Ben Lilly Memorial. The Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Incident Command Team will assume command of the fire at 6:00 p.m. today and will transition to a Type 2 incident command organization tomorrow, June 13 at 6:00 p.m. With active fire behavior observed today, Trout Fire is currently estimated at 300 acres.

Trout Fire was reported early this morning. Responding resources include the Gila Hotshots, two Type 6 engine crews, one Type 3 engine crew, and two 10-person fire suppression modules with support from aerial resources including two Single Engine Air Tankers, one Type 1 and one Type 3 helicopter, and fixed wing air attack. Additionally, three more hotshot crews and two dozers have been ordered.