New Mexico Gov Declares Emergency for 80,000-Acre Wildfires

Two large wildfires, the Trout Fire and the Buck Fire, have burned over 80,000 acres north of Silver City, New Mexico, making them the largest wildfires of the current season in the state. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declared an emergency, directing $750,000 in state funds toward firefighting efforts and securing additional federal aid via a FEMA grant, while also deploying the New Mexico National Guard to assist. The fires are burning in hot, dry conditions amid ongoing drought, with the Trout Fire expanding rapidly and prompting evacuations in multiple areas including Bear Dam, Mimbres, and San Lorenzo. Smoke from the fires has led to health advisories for Grant and Catron counties, with poor air quality reported as far as Las Cruces and El Paso, prompting warnings for residents to stay indoors and take precautions to protect respiratory health. Multiple state highways have been closed to support evacuation and firefighting operations, and a Red Cross shelter has been established for displaced residents. Fire crews continue to brace for increased fire activity and potential changes in evacuation statuses as they work to contain the blazes and protect nearby structures and communities.