2025 New Mexico wildfires | |
---|---|
Season | |
← 2024 |
The 2025 New Mexico wildfires are a series of active wildfires currently ongoing in New Mexico.
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]
The following is a list of fires that burned more than 1,000 acres (400 ha), produced significant structural damage, or resulted in casualties.
Name | County | Acres | Start date | Containment date [a] | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cottonwood Canyon | Lincoln | 2,011 | February 8 | February 14 | Caused by human activity. The fire resulted in approximately $450,000 in damage. | [3] |
Mogote Hill | Mora, San Miguel | 21,433 | March 14 | April 7 | [4] | |
Trout | Grant | 47,294 | June 12 | July 25 | Lightning-caused. Burned about 12 miles (19 km) north of Silver City and prompted evacuations for the Lake Roberts area and destroyed two houses. | [5] [6] [7] |
Buck | Catron | 57,753 | June 11 | July 21 | Started from a lightning strike on BLM lands. Threatened structures on private ranches. | [8] [9] [10] |
Laguna | Rio Arriba | 17,415 | June 25 | Lightning-caused. Burning about 8 miles (13 km) north of Gallina. | [11] | |
Turkeyfeather | Catron | 24,178 | June 30 | Undetermined cause. Burning 22 miles (35 km) southeast of Reserve. | [12] | |
Goose | Grant | 3,690 | July 9 | August 4 | Lightning-caused. Burning 18 miles (29 km) northwest of Silver City. | [13] |
Middle Mesa | Rio Arriba | 5,031 | August 1 | Lightning-caused. Burning 5 miles east of Navajo Lake. | [14] | |
Vereda Blanca | Sandoval | 1,269 | August 8 | [15] |