The 2020 New Mexico wildfire season began in May 2020. At least 543 wildfires burned across the state, with fires burning as late as October 2020. The season was a part of the 2020 Western United States wildfire season.
Background
While "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.
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.
List of wildfires
The following is a list of fires that burned more than , or produced significant structural damage or casualties. NameCounty AcresStart dateContainment dateNotesRefWest 380Lea1,689January 9January 9Human-causedNational Large Incident Year-to-Date Report August 8, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023PedroGuadalupe1,017April 6April 6Human-causedMooreMora3,800May 2May 2Human-causedSloan CanyonUnion1,173May 23May 29Lightning-causedK107Harding1,355June 6June 6Lightning-causedTurkeyGrant1,800June 6June 11Lightning-causedFarm CampSan Miguel22,872June 6June 14Lightning-causedUvasDoña Ana1,135June 6June 14Lightning-causedGoodGrant17,950June 6July 15Lightning-causedTadpoleGrant11,159June 6July 17Lightning-causedVics PeakSocorro14,624June 15August 4Threatened Mexican spotted owl habitat. Lightning-causedCubCatron25,950June 28July 30Lightning-causedNaranjosMora2,580July 15July 15Cause unknownLunaTaos, Mora10,142October 17November 10Campfire
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