2023 New Mexico wildfires

Significant 2023 New Mexico wildfires
Statistics
Total fires13
Impacts
DamageUnknown
Season
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A series of wildfires burned throughout the U.S. state of New Mexico in 2023.

Background

Further information: List of New Mexico wildfires

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.[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

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 0% contained as of May 10 [2]
Antelope Flats Socorro 940 April 21 60% contained as of April 23 [3]
Park Lincoln, Mescalero 3,000 May 3 20% contained as of May 5 [4]
Big Tank San Miguel 1,181 May 4 May 8 [5][6]
Pass Winston 59,883 May 18
98% contained
 Caused by lightning [7][8]
Comanche Rio Arriba 1,974 June 8
July 24
 Caused by lightning [9]
Dark Catron 3,975 July 12
67% contained
 [10]
Divide Catron 26,514 July 13
August 16
 [11]
Davis Catron 6,073 July 15
54% contained
 [12]
Turkey Grant 5,220 July 22
September 28
 [13]
Magdalena RD Hutchinson Socorro 2,816 July 23
50% contained
 [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

References

  1. ^ a b "New Mexico Fire Season: In-Depth Guide". wfca.com. Western Fire Chiefs Association. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  2. ^ "Wildfire Incident Information Mogote Fire". NM Fire Info. February 6, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ "Park – Lincoln County – Update #3". NM Fire Info. May 5, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  5. ^ "Big Tank – San Miguel County – Update #3". NM Fire Info. May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  6. ^ "San Miguel County Big Tank fire 100% contained". KRQE News. May 9, 2023. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  7. ^ "Pass Fire Update June 22, 2023". New Mexico Fire Information. June 22, 2023.
  8. ^ "Pass Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  9. ^ "Comanche Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  10. ^ "Dark Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  11. ^ "Divide Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  12. ^ "Davis Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  13. ^ "Turkey Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  14. ^ "Magdalena RD Hutchinson Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  15. ^ "Pasture Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  16. ^ Freeman, Laila (August 6, 2023). "Black Feather Fire burns 1,500 acres near Rio Arriba County, Sandoval County border". KRQE. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  17. ^ "Black Feather Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
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