2024 New Mexico wildfires

Last updated

2024 New Mexico wildfires
Impacts
Deaths2
Structures destroyed900+ damaged or destroyed
Damage$1.8 billion [1]
Season
←  2023
2025  →

The 2024 New Mexico wildfire season was a series of wildfires that burned throughout the U.S. state of New Mexico.

Contents

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. [2]

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. [2]

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.

NameCountyAcresStart dateContainment dateNotesRef
Blue 2 Lincoln 7,532May 17September 11Fire caused by lightning on Lincoln National Forest. [3] [4]
Indios Rio Arriba 11,477May 19August 2Fire caused by lightning on Santa Fe National Forest and managed for ecological benefit. [5] [6]
Antone Catron 12,455June 7July 30Fire caused by lightning on Gila National Forest and managed for ecological benefit. [7] [8]
Encerrita Cibola 2,496June 15August 28Fire was caused by lightning on El Malpais National Monument. [9] [10]
South Fork Otero & Lincoln 17,569June 17August 26A mandatory evacuation order was issued for all of Ruidoso. Approximately 1,400 structures were lost, and two fatalities were reported. [11] [12] [13]
Salt Otero 7,939June 17August 26Evacuations were prompted in the Mescalero Apache Reservation, and for the village of Ruidoso Downs on 18 June 2024. Over 400 structures were damaged or destroyed. [14]
Ridge Catron 4,257July 2September 19Fire caused by lightning on the Gila National Forest. [15]
Fisher Socorro 8,044July 4July 21Fire caused by lightning on the Cibola National Forest and managed for ecological benefit. [16] [17] [18]
Paramount Sierra 1,328July 12August 19Fire caused by lightning on the Gila National Forest. [19]
Tanques Rio Arriba 6,645July 18August 21Caused by natural factors. [20]
Island Union 1,600August 22August 28Caused by natural factors. [21]
2024 New Mexico wildfires
Perimeters of 2024 New Mexico wildfires (map data)

References

  1. ↑ Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters, NOAA
  2. 1 2 "New Mexico Fire Season: In-Depth Guide". wfca.com. Western Fire Chiefs Association. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Blue 2 Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  4. ↑ Barrios, Luisa (June 2, 2024). "Blue 2 Fire near Ruidoso now 54% contained". KTSM.com. Archived from the original on June 20, 2024. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Indios Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  6. ↑ Logan, J.R. (June 5, 2024). "To manage, not suppress". Taos News. pp. C1. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Antonne Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Lightning-caused Antone fire on Quemado Ranger District". Gila National Forest. June 9, 2024. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Encerrita Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Encerrita Fire Update, June 18". NM Fire Info. June 18, 2024. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  11. ↑ "South Fork Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  12. ↑ "Two deaths reported in South Fork Fire, New Mexico State Police say". KAMC . June 18, 2024. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  13. ↑ "South Fork Fire, Salt Fire Evening Update 6/18/24". New Mexico Fire Information. June 19, 2024. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Salt Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  15. ↑ Pecotte, Maribeth (July 13, 2024). "Gila National Forest responding to Paramount Fire – Lightning caused fire in Indian Peaks planning area to be managed for resource outcomes". New Mexico Fire Information. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  16. ↑ "Fisher Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Fisher Fire burns 7K acres in Magdalena Ranger District". KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. July 3, 2024. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  18. ↑ Johnson, Patricia E. (July 5, 2024). "Fisher Fire – July 5 Update". Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands. Archived from the original on July 10, 2024. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  19. ↑ Brisbine, Janelle (July 6, 2024). "Two fires burning in Gila National Forest". KOAT. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  20. ↑ "Tanques - Wildfire and Smoke Map". dailycomet. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  21. ↑ "Island - Wildfire and Smoke Map". Times-Gazette. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
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