Arizona Game and Fish Department

Apache trout.

Half a million trout have been moved out of Oak Creek Canyon to save them from the Slide Fire. The fish were trucked out of Sterling Springs Hatchery on Wednesday morning.  

Chris Cantrell with the Arizona Game and Fish Department said the transfer is a proactive measure to protect the fish from the fire.

“We feel like it could transport a significant amount of ash soil and debris into the hatchery which could affect our ability to rear trout,” said Cantrell.

He said the fish will be moved to Page Springs and Canyon Creek hatcheries to finish growing. The department moved trout at this early stage to ensure fishing season will not be affected.