Over 50,000 acres of Gila National Forest burned by wildfires over the weekend

Two wildfires in the Gila National Forest grew over the weekend, ravaging over 50,000 acres with no signs of stopping, and many cities across New Mexico endured triple-digit temperatures on Monday.

Smoke from the fires, along with east winds blowing dust from eastern New Mexico that caused a low air quality — according to the National Weather Service — could be seen in the Albuquerque skies on Monday, adding a gray tint to the otherwise blue horizon.

As of Monday, the Trout Fire, north of Silver City, and the lightning-caused Buck Fire — southwest of Magdalena — more than doubled from the combined 20,000 acres burned on Friday.

The Trout Fire started Thursday evening, and had grown to almost 20,000 acres on Monday. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the U.S. Forest Service. The Buck Fire grew from 16,000 acres on Friday to 35,000 acres on Monday. No injuries or damaged structures have been reported for either fire, and both fires are at 0% containment.

Trout Fire

The Trout Fire has forced more than 200 people to leave their homes, and fire officials said while they know it can be a difficult decision for residents, it ensures their safety and prevents from future evacuations.

“It’s worse to force people to leave their homes, tell them it’s safe to come back and make them leave again,” said Stefan La-Sky, spokesperson for Southwest Incident Management Team 4.

Evacuations are in place for private lands at the western end of N.M. 35, from the N.M. 15/35 intersection east to Sapillo Campground, and people in the surrounding areas are urged to go to the Grant County Convention Center. The High Desert Humane Society will accommodate pets and the Southwest Horseman’s Association rodeo grounds will take in livestock.

Over the weekend, the Trout Fire perimeter grew significantly due to hot and windy conditions, primarily along the north, west and east flanks, according to wildfire information management system, InciWeb. The U.S. Forest Service will continue to investigate the cause of the fire.

Sunday night, fire crews were able to hold on established containment lines, with 625 fire personnel aiding in fire suppression.

Aerial crews will assist with water drops whenever possible, but increasing smoke from the fire will determine whether they are able to, La-Sky said.

Priorities for fire officials include protecting private residences in Lake Roberts and Mimbres, agricultural infrastructure, endangered species habitats, and both recreational and cultural assets, according to an update from New Mexico Fire Information.

Buck Fire

The blaze, southeast of Aragon and south of Pelona Mountain, has burned 35,000 acres and forced an evacuation for Garcia Camp.

No formal closures have been issued, but the public should avoid driving on N.M. 163 within the fire area, according to NM Fire Information. The Continental Divide Trail and the Bureau of Land Management have issued a soft closure to discourage hikers from going through any trails near the fire area.

Smoke may be visible from N.M. 12 southwest of Aragon and southwest of N.M. 60. People with respiratory issues or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures.

“Safety remains our highest priority, and every effort is being made to implement fireline tactics that minimize risk as much as possible, particularly in these remote and challenging areas,” said Albuquerque Zone Incident Commander Lino Baca. “We extend our sincere appreciation to all local cooperators, stakeholders, permittees, and members of the community for their continued support and collaboration.”

Gusty winds, in addition to lightning, will be a concern as fire suppression efforts continue. Rugged terrain made it more difficult for firefighter vehicles to enter the area, according to a Gila National Forest spokesperson, but aerial suppression will support areas that cannot be accessed otherwise.

Dry, hot and windy

As fires rage in the Gila, a heat advisory continued over much of southern and central New Mexico Monday.

Albuquerque had high of 101 degrees Fahrenheit in Albuquerque on Monday; 110 F is forecasted in Roswell, as well as 104 F in Tucumcari and Socorro on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Much of southern New Mexico is also at critical fire risk, according to a NWS map.

Three “ingredients” combined this week causing the NWS to issue a red flag warning, said NWS meteorologist Dave Hefner. A recipe for disaster — low humidity, high winds and plenty of fuel, in the form of dried grasses, downed trees and other flora — have created the perfect conditions for fires to start and spread.

The monsoon season, which began Sunday and lasts until September 30, typically offers some relief as afternoon showers add moisture. So far, there is no precipitation in sight for the Gila, said NWS meteorologist Matt DeMaria. Conditions may change as July approaches, when storms are usually more consistent, he said.

Central and eastern New Mexico, on the other hand, are expected to see rain this weekend and next week, DeMaria said. However, the overall outlook for this year’s monsoon season is a toss up, DeMaria said, with equal chances of precipitation being above or below average.

Rain, and relief for communities afflicted by the Buck and Trout fires, is uncertain.