Evacuations Ordered as New Mexico Wildfires Raze 80,000 Acres

Two significant wildfires in New Mexico have engulfed more than 80,000 acres, leading to evacuation orders and state officials responding with urgency.

The Buck Fire, spanning over 57,000 acres in the Catron County area, has been partially managed with containment at 15%, following a lightning strike on June 11 that sparked the blaze.

Meanwhile, the Trout Fire ignited a day after and is now consuming close to 25,000 acres within the southern region of the Gila National Forest. Authorities have yet to determine the cause, and no containment has been reported. The fire increased in intensity due to severe drought conditions and the hot, arid climate.

The fires have led to the evacuation of around 2,000 homes, as reported by Stefan La-Sky, representative for the Trout Fire management team. At this time, officials have not confirmed any casualties or damages to structures.

Currently, approximately 875 firefighting personnel, supported by 10 helicopters, are actively working to reduce the fire's impact, La-Sky noted.

In a response to the growing Trout Fire, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham enacted a state of emergency on Tuesday. This declaration mobilizes $750,000 via the New Mexico Department of Finance Administration to the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for immediate response actions.

Additionally, the New Mexico National Guard has been ordered to provide support, as expressed in the governor’s directive.

"Our federal partners’ commitment to addressing this risk and supporting our responders is greatly valued," Governor Grisham remarked.

The Department of Health in New Mexico has issued warnings for both Grant and Catron counties. According to health officials, smoke from the fires, influenced by wind patterns, may affect air quality as far away as Las Cruces, located nearly 130 miles from the fires.

Fire weather conditions remain critical, as a red flag warning persists due to temperatures soaring into the 90s with minimal humidity, accompanied by gusts potentially reaching 35 miles per hour. These warnings signal the highest threat of fire-related incidents.