A series of wildfires burned throughout the U.S. state of New Mexico in 2023.
| 2023 New Mexico wildfires | |
|---|---|
| Impacts | |
| Damage | Unknown |
| Season | |
← 2022
2024 → | |
Background
editWhile "fire season" can vary every year in New Mexico based on weather conditions, most wildfires occur in from early May through June, before the monsoon season. However, there is an increasing fire risk year-round from climate change. Droughts are becoming more common partly from rising temperatures in the state that evaporate water from streams. Unpredictable monsoon levels can increase fire risks. New Mexico is prone to strong winds, and jet stream disruption from climate change can make them stronger. Intense winds contribute to drought, allow wildfires to spread, and dry out vegetation. Unique plant life and fine fuels in the state fuel wildfires, especially in the Eastern New Mexico grasslands. Rising temperatures will reduce snowpack and shorten the snowmelt season which can increase drought and wildfire severity.[1]
Overgrazing and logging in the late 1800s and over 100 years of strict fire suppression affected natural systems of New Mexico led to a growing wildfire risk and intensity. Scientists predict New Mexico's forests will gradually deteriorate, turning into shrublands as wildfires burn the forests.[1]
List of wildfires
editThis section needs to be updated. (July 2024) |
The following is a list of fires that burned more than 1,000 acres (400 ha) or produced significant structural damage or casualties.
| Name | County | Acres | Start date | Containment date | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mogote | Mora | 3,803 | February 6 | November 3 | [2] | |
| Antelope Flats | Socorro | 940 | April 21 | June 16 | [3] | |
| Park | Lincoln, Mescalero | 3,000 | May 3 | May 23 | [4] | |
| Big Tank | San Miguel | 1,181 | May 4 | May 8 | [5][6] | |
| Pass | Winston | 59,883 | May 18 | October 3 | Caused by lightning | [7][8] |
| Comanche | Rio Arriba | 1,974 | June 8 | July 24 | Caused by lightning | [9] |
| Dark | Catron | 3,975 | July 12 | September 19 | [10] | |
| Divide | Catron | 26,514 | July 13 | August 16 | [11] | |
| Davis | Catron | 6,073 | July 15 | September 14 | [12] | |
| Turkey | Grant | 5,220 | July 22 | September 28 | [13] | |
| Magdalena RD Hutchinson | Socorro | 2,816 | July 23 | 2023 | [14] | |
| Pasture | Catron | 10,500 | July 23 | August 16 | [15] | |
| Black Feather | Rio Arriba | 2,198 | August 5 | 2023 | Caused by lightning | [16][17] |
See also
editReferences
edit- 1 2 "New Mexico Fire Season: In-Depth Guide". wfca.com. Western Fire Chiefs Association. June 20, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
- ↑ "Wildfire Incident Information Mogote Fire". NM Fire Info. February 6, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
- ↑ "Antelope Flats fire burns 939 acres in Socorro County". KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. April 21, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ↑ "Park – Lincoln County – Update #3". NM Fire Info. May 5, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
- ↑ "Big Tank – San Miguel County – Update #3". NM Fire Info. May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
- ↑ "San Miguel County Big Tank fire 100% contained". KRQE News. May 9, 2023. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ↑ "Pass Fire Update June 22, 2023". New Mexico Fire Information. June 22, 2023.
- ↑ "Pass Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved July 31, 2023.[dead link]
- ↑ "Comanche Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
- ↑ "Dark Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved July 30, 2023.[dead link]
- ↑ "Divide Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ↑ "Davis Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved July 30, 2023.[dead link]
- ↑ "Turkey Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ↑ "Magdalena RD Hutchinson Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved July 31, 2023.[dead link]
- ↑ "Pasture Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ↑ Freeman, Laila (August 6, 2023). "Black Feather Fire burns 1,500 acres near Rio Arriba County, Sandoval County border". KRQE. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ↑ "Black Feather Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved May 13, 2024.