Trout saved as wildfire approaches in New Mexico

Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout

The Department of Game and Fish has removed Rio Grande cutthroat trout from a creek near a wildfire in northern New Mexico.

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The Department of Game and Fish has removed Rio Grande cutthroat trout from a creek near a wildfire in northern New Mexico.

The agency said Friday that more than 270 of the native trout had been taken from Polvadera Creek to protect the pure-strain fish population from the possible effects of the fire, such as ash flowing into the stream.

The trout — up to 10 inches in size — will be kept at a state fish hatchery until the department can return them to the creek or another stream.

The Rio Grande cutthroat trout is the New Mexico state fish and a candidate for federal endangered species protection.

The so-called South Fork Fire near Espanola has burned more than 25 square miles.