A series of wildfires burned throughout the U.S. state of New Mexico in 2023.
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 dateNotesRefMogoteMora3,803Antelope FlatsSocorro940ParkLincoln, Mescalero3,000Big TankSan Miguel1,181PassWinston59,883Caused by lightningComancheRio Arriba1,974 Caused by lightningDarkCatron3,975 DivideCatron26,514 DavisCatron6,073 TurkeyGrant5,220 Magdalena RD HutchinsonSocorro2,816 PastureCatron10,500 Black FeatherRio Arriba2,1982023 Caused by lightning
See also 2023 Arizona wildfires 2023 Colorado wildfires 2023 California wildfires 2023 Oregon wildfires
References