Employees Answer the Call in Wake of Fire in New Mexico

September 5, 2025 - So often, fires are defined by the destruction they leave behind – the acres consumed, the homes lost and, sometimes, much worse – but their true measure also can be found in the moments of selflessness that spread faster than the flames themselves.

This summer, the Trout Fire tore through more than 47,000 acres, including part of the Gila National Forest in Grant County, New Mexico, home to both the Chino and Tyrone mines. Ignited by lightning and fueled by high temperatures and low humidity, the rapidly growing fire quickly drew a response from all corners—including Freeport, which mobilized across the company to help support firefighting efforts and an embattled community.

Nowhere was Freeport’s response more immediate than at New Mexico Operations.

From the beginning, the New Mexico sites responded by donating supplies like water and Gatorade. In anticipation of power outages, the sites also helped secure generators to help municipalities maintain access to essential infrastructure, like water systems.

However, the response went beyond just supplies.

As the fire closed in on Chino, Justin Gojkovich, Senior Health & Safety Lead-Chino, stepped up as incident lead, drawing on his experience as Grant County’s former Emergency Manager to coordinate with incident command and guide the site through the developing situation.

Coordinated response

Though operations were temporarily shut down, key employees, including New Mexico Operations’ Crisis Management Team and Emergency Response and Rescue Team, also were on site to monitor the situation, provide updates and direct resources, while mine equipment and operators were used to cut fire breaks and improve road access. The site provided property access to the U.S. Forest Service, as well, so firefighting equipment could be staged closer to the fire and respond sooner.

According to Randy Ellison, General Manager-New Mexico Operations, it was the sort of response he’s seen and come to expect from everyone in that organization.
“Dozens stayed behind and dozens more offered,” Ellison said. “They have deep roots here, and even in a time of crisis their concern was continuing to support the community where their neighbors are also their friends and families. When it mattered most, our folks were here working for them.”

And they weren’t alone.

When Daniel Coyle, Superintendent-Health & Safety, left New Mexico Operations this summer, he had no idea he’d be asking to come back so soon. However, when he learned of the Trout Fire, Coyle hoped his experience as a site safety supervisor could be of help.

Support from Morenci

His new team members agreed and worked with Morenci leadership to smooth over potential project disruptions. That set in motion a chain of events that Coyle says shows how instinctively Freeport rallies together in a time of need, as Morenci General Manager of Administration Bobby Pollock instructed his site to offer whatever support was needed in New Mexico.

Overnight, a Morenci fire response team was on its way.

In addition to bringing a fire truck and a water curtain to help protect the SXEW from falling embers, the five-man crew also offered to be boots on the ground, creating defensible zones around the SXEW and a historic church, joining the New Mexico employees already helping wherever they could.

From firefighters from across the country to government officials at every level, it took countless individuals working together to slow the spread of a fire that burned for 38 days. Even though Freeport employees were few among their numbers, Coyle thinks of each of them with pride. For him, it was just another example of miners once again digging deep to help get the job done—and the company that supported them every step of the way.

“People didn’t wait around to be asked for help,” Coyle said. “They asked to help. That’s what makes the difference. There are many companies that have lots of resources at their disposal, but stepping up to do the right thing, to protect our people and our community, that’s what makes us Freeport.”

Photos (top to bottom): New Mexico Operations employees helped with fire prevention and recovery, creating fire breaks and cleaning out dams vulnerable to post-fire flooding; Outside the historic Saint Anthony’s church, Daniel Coyle (back left) stands with the five-person fire response team sent by Morenci; By the time it was contained, the Trout Fire had burned over 47,000 acres of the Gila National Forest.