| 2022 New Mexico wildfires | |
| Cost: | Unknown |
| Total Area: | 899453acres[1] |
| Fatalities: | 2 |
| Is Season: | yes |
| Year: | 2022 |
| Season Name: | New Mexico wildfires |
The 2022 New Mexico wildfire season were a series of wildfires which burnt throughout the U.S. state of New Mexico., 904422acres had burned across the state.[2] The burned acreage figure for 2022 is well above the 1995-2015 average of approximately 270,000 acres burned annually. with the fire season in the state expected to continue until the advent of the regular North American Monsoon weather pattern throughout the Southwestern United States in the summer.[3] [4]
A number of factors contributed to the severe wildfire season. The majority of the state is experiencing extreme to exceptional drought conditions as part of a broader severe drought in the North American west, fueled by climate change.[5] A reduced 2021-2022 winter snowpack, long periods of higher-than-normal temperatures, and sustained strong winds have resulted in extreme fire conditions and a number of major incidents.[6] [7]
The season has seen a large number of significant wildfires.[8] In early April 2022, the McBride Fire destroyed over 200 structures and killed two people. Since April 2022, the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire grew to become the largest fire in New Mexico history.[9] It destroyed over 900 structures. Starting in May the Black Fire (2022), and ending in late July, burned in the Gila National Forest northeast of Silver City. The fire consumed some 325,000 acres and became the second-largest wildfire in state history. [10] Thousands of state residents were forced to evacuate for extended periods of times, and the fires produced smoke plumes with severe effects on air quality and health throughout New Mexico.[11]
The following is a list of fires that burned more than 1,000 acres (400 ha), produced significant structural damage or casualties, or were otherwise notable.
| Name | County < | -- of origin--> | Acres | Start date | Containment date | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MM 38 Fire | Mora | 1,705 | Cause under investigation | [12] | |||
| San Luis Fire | Hidalgo | 2,958 | Cause under investigation | [13] | |||
| Arch Fire | Roosevelt | 5,732 | Human caused | ||||
| Highway 380 Fire | Lea | 17,658 | Caused by powerlines | [14] [15] | |||
| Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire | San Miguel, Mora, Taos | 341,735 | Hermits Peak Fire (escaped prescribed burn) started April 6. The Calf Canyon Fire (escaped pile burn) started April 19. Merged on April 22. Largest and most destructive fire in state history. | [16] [17] | |||
| Collins Fire | Catron | 3,030 | Was located in the Reserve Ranger District of the Gila National Forest | [18] [19] | |||
| Overflow Fire | Chaves | 1,900 | Caused by escaped prescribed burn | [20] | |||
| McBride Fire | Lincoln | 6,159 | Killed 2 people and destroyed 207 structures. Cause under investigation | [21] | |||
| Cooks Peak Fire | Mora, Colfax | 59,359 | Human caused | [22] | |||
| Buckthorn Fire | Eddy | 1,152 | Human caused | [23] | |||
| Cerro Pelado Fire | Sandoval | 46,605 | Cause under investigation | [24] [25] | |||
| Mitchell Fire | Harding | 25,000 | Cause under investigation | [26] | |||
| Campbell Road Fire | Union | 2,000 | Cause under investigation | [27] | |||
| 380 Friday Fire | Lea | 6,500 | Cause under investigation | [28] [29] | |||
| Skiles 429 Fire | Union | 1,312 | Cause under investigation | [30] | |||
| Bear Trap Fire | Socorro | 38,225 | Cause under investigation | [31] | |||
| Truck Tire Fire | Roosevelt | 1,500 | Human caused | ||||
| 380 May Fire | Lea | 1,833 | Human caused | ||||
| Black Fire | Catron, Grant, Sierra | 325,136 | Cause under investigation. Now the second-largest fire in modern New Mexico history | [32] | |||
| Foster Fire | Hidalgo | 10,403 | ??? | Cause under investigation | [33] | ||
| Midnight Fire | Rio Arriba | 4,905 | Lightning | [34] [35] |