Grant County declares local emergency as wildfire near Lake Roberts threatens community

Grant County commissioners unanimously approved a declaration of local emergency during an emergency meeting June 16, 2025, after a wildfire that started on the Gila National Forest advanced near the community of Lake Roberts, the county manager said.

The declaration, Resolution R-25-41, activates county emergency procurement procedures, authorizes the use of county resources for response, and formally requests support from the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and other appropriate agencies, the county manager read to the commissioners at the June 16 meeting held in the Grant County Administration Building. The county manager said the declaration was read after the commission convened at 8:30 a.m.

The county manager read the resolution text stating that the fire threatened “lives, property, agriculture, and cultural resources and critical infrastructure” and that it had caused evacuations and hazardous air quality while placing “a significant strain on local emergency response resources.” The reading included the statement that “approximately 12/1930 acres of land have burned as of the date of approval of this resolution,” a figure as read in the record that is unclear in transcription.

Commissioner Stevens moved to approve the declaration; Commissioner Medina seconded. Commissioners voiced unanimous approval; the presiding commissioner called the motion carried and the resolution approved. The record does not list a roll-call tally of individual votes beyond the unanimous voice vote recorded at the meeting.

At the meeting, commissioners thanked county staff, local fire personnel and the U.S. Forest Service for ongoing response efforts. The presiding commissioner and other commissioners acknowledged direct communications with the Lieutenant Governor’s office and expressed appreciation for mutual-aid resources and personnel who had arrived from other states and counties. One commissioner specifically thanked named local responders, mentioning Ed Powers and the county emergency manager and fire chiefs by role.

The board announced a public meeting for community members at 6 p.m. at the Conference Center to provide information about the incident and response; the presiding commissioner encouraged public attendance. The record also notes Commissioner Flores was out of town and not present for the emergency meeting.

The declaration directs use of county resources and seeks state and other assistance for response and post-fire recovery. The resolution does not specify detailed funding allocations or a timeline for when state or federal assistance will arrive.