Wildfire in New Mexico

Events

162

Deaths

5

Injuries

50

Damage

$1.8 billion

• Wildfire and High Wind in New Mexico, April 11 to 30, 20222 deaths · 1 injured · $17 million · 70 kt wind · 27 eventsAs a storm system tracked to the north of New Mexico on April 11-12, 2022, it steered a potent polar jet over the state.
• Wildfire in New Mexico, June 17 to 23, 20242 deaths · $23 million · 1 eventThe devastating South Fork Wildfire was discovered June 17th at 9am MDT within the tribal land along the Rio Ruidoso west of the village of Ruidoso, NM.
• Wildfire in New Mexico, May 4 to 31, 2000$1.5 billion · 2 eventsThe hot and dry weather throughout the spring culminated in a series of dastivating wildfires that sorched nearly 90,000 acres of forest and ravaged Los Alamos and the adjacent Los Alamos National Labratory (LANL).
• Wildfire and Heat in New Mexico, June 20 to 24, 20171 death · 4 injured · $50,000 · 17 eventsA strong dome of high pressure centered over the southwestern United States along with exceptionally dry air set the stage for a brutal heatwave over New Mexico for several days.
• Wildfire in New Mexico, May 1 to 13, 202210 injured · $11 million · 1 eventThe Cooks Peak Fire started north of Ocate on April 17, 2022. The wildfire continued to burn during the month of May, but fortunately, firefighters were able to fully contain the Cooks Peak Fire on May 13, 2022.
• Wildfire in New Mexico, May 1 to 31, 20223 injured · $100 million · 1 eventThe Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fire, which were originally two separate wildfires that combined during the month of April 2022, continued to devastate the area during the month of May.
• Wildfire and Dust Storm in New Mexico, April 22 to 30, 2022$11 million · 81 kt wind · 51 eventsAs a very strong low pressure system tracked into California on April 22, 2022, it steered an incredibly potent upper-level jet across New Mexico. Winds at 250mb within this jet reached 90 to 100 knots while at 700mb, these westerly winds strengthened to 50 to 60 knots.
• Wildfire and High Wind in New Mexico, April 19 to 30, 2022$25 million · 56 kt wind · 5 eventsAs a surface high pressure developed to the east of New Mexico, it established easterly to southeasterly return flow across eastern New Mexico.
• Wildfire in New Mexico, June 4 to 22, 2012$26 million · 1 eventThis lightning sparked wildfire erupted on the afternoon of June 4, 2012 then spread rapidly overnight during strong gusty winds. The wildfire consumed more than 41,000 acres, destroyed 242 residential structures, 12 outbuildings, and forced numerous evacuations.
• Winter Storm and Wildfire in New Mexico, March 3 to 4, 20257 injured · $330,000 · 71 kt wind · 35 eventsAn upper level low crossing the western CONUS brought a strong jetstream and Pacific cold front across New Mexico March 3rd. Strong southwesterly winds mixed down to the surface through much of the southeastern half of the state, producing gusts of 45 to 75 mph.
• Wildfire in New Mexico, May 1 to 31, 201113 injured · $150,000 · 1 eventAntecedent dry conditions combined with strong winds and low humidities fueled this human caused fire in the Gila Wilderness.
• Wildfire in New Mexico, May 9 to 31, 20125 injured · $2.5 million · 1 eventBy the end of May, the Whitewater/Baldy Complex broke the record for the largest wildfire in New Mexico state history. The previous record was held by the Las Conchas wildfire of 2011 at just over 156,000 acres.
• Wildfire in New Mexico, July 1 to 31, 2011$17 million · 1 eventThe Las Conchas wildfire began when a tree fell on a power line 12 miles southwest of Los Alamos on June 26th. The fire quickly spread eastward under windy and unstable conditions, covering more than 40,000 acres the first day. The fire was contained by the end of the month.
• Wildfire and High Wind in New Mexico, April 5 to 30, 2022$10 million · 56 kt wind · 5 eventsA closed upper-level low pressure system from the Gulf of Alaska moved inland into the Pacific Northwest and tracked eastward over the northern Rockies on April 5, 2022.
• Wildfire in New Mexico, June 14 to 24, 2016$10 million · 1 eventA very dry, hot, and unstable atmosphere set the stage for rapidly spreading wildfires across New Mexico. The human-caused Dog Head Fire developed during the early afternoon of the 14th and quickly grew to near 600 acres through the morning of the 15th.
• Wildfire in New Mexico, April 15 to 30, 2008$8.5 million · 1 eventA human caused fire turned into a large wildfire during several days of strong winds. Very dry conditions were present prior to the wildfire due to a lack of precipitation in the preceding weeks.
• Wildfire in New Mexico, March 24 to 26, 2002$5.0 million · 1 eventWinds of 45 to 55 mph whipped an accidential fire into a fast moving wildfire that consumed 12,000 acres and 20 homes before crews and air tank attacks gained control in much lighter winds.
• Winter Storm and Wildfire in New Mexico, April 10 to 11, 2019$1.1 million · 67 kt wind · 33 eventsAnother widespread high wind event produced damage across parts of New Mexico on April 10, 2019 less than one month after a similar wind event in mid March.
• Wildfire in New Mexico, June 21 to 22, 2025$4.0 million · 2 eventsThe Desert Willow Complex was a combination of the Cotton and Cotton II wildfires discovered in Los Lunas south and north of Main Street Bridge on the east and west sides of the Rio Grande.
• Wildfire in New Mexico, June 16 to 20, 2011$3.5 million · 1 eventThe Swallow Fire quickly engulfed 9 homes amidst breezy, hot and very dry conditions.
• Wildfire and High Wind in New Mexico, April 17 to 19, 2025$1.0 million · 70 kt wind · 21 eventsAn upper level trough dove south over the Great Basin merging with an upper low off the coast of California on April 17th. Strong southwest winds moved over New Mexico ahead of these two upper level systems.
• Wildfire in New Mexico, June 12 to 28, 2011$2.5 million · 1 eventBreezy and dry conditions fueled the Track Fire for several days before crews could get a handle on the fire. The fire quickly gained recognition when Interstate 25 had to be closed and traffic had to be diverted for nearly 3.5 days.
• Wildfire and High Wind in New Mexico, April 1 to 19, 2011$1.5 million · 61 kt wind · 11 eventsAs a storm system approached New Mexico on the 3rd, the mid level gradient and surface pressure gradient increased sharply, leading to high, damaging winds. These strong winds fueled a new wildfire near Ruidoso.
• Wildfire in New Mexico, June 1 to 30, 2012$2.3 million · 1 eventBy the end of June, the Whitewater/Baldy Complex continued the record for the largest wildfire in New Mexico state history. The previous record was held by the Las Conchas wildfire of 2011 at just over 156,000 acres.
• Wildfire in New Mexico, January 1 to 2, 20063 injured · $710,000 · 1 eventRecord high temperatures (in the mid to upper 70s), very low relative humidities, high winds, and two and a half months without measurable precipitation combined to produce a very active fire weather day.

Wildfire everywhereEvery kind of event in New Mexico

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24.