2023 New Mexico wildfires

Significant 2023 New Mexico wildfires
Statistics
Total fires	13
Impacts
Damage	Unknown
Season
←  2022 2024  →

A series of wildfires burned throughout the U.S. state of New Mexico in 2023.

2023 Pass Fire

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

• 2023 Arizona wildfires
• 2023 Colorado wildfires
• 2023 California wildfires
• 2023 Oregon wildfires

References

1. "New Mexico Fire Season: In-Depth Guide". wfca.com. Western Fire Chiefs Association. June 20, 2023. 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.^{[ dead link ]}
9. "Comanche Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
10. "Dark Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved July 30, 2023.^{[ dead link ]}
11. "Divide Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
12. "Davis Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved July 30, 2023.^{[ dead link ]}
13. "Turkey Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
14. "Magdalena RD Hutchinson Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved July 31, 2023.^{[ dead link ]}
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.