In addition to the standard four seasons, lucky New Mexico also has fire season. Some years are blessedly calm, while other years it seems like one blaze is barely contained when two others ignite on top of it. Here are four of the largest wildfires in New Mexico history we will never forget:
1. Whitewater-Baldy Complex Fire (2012)
The Whitewater-Baldy Complex Fire was the largest to ever rage across New Mexico until 2022 when the infamous Calf Canyon/Hermits Blaze fire beat it out (unfortunately). The Whitewater-Baldy Fire began on June 14th, following not one but two lightning strikes.
Dryness, wind, and low humidity united to keep the fire burning for roughly six weeks, despite the best efforts of 1200 firefighters. During this time, the fire traveled across 289,478 acres, causing air pollution that was experienced as far away as Santa Fe and Las Cruces.
2. Las Conchas Fire (2011)
On June 26, 2011, an aspen tree knocked down a power line igniting a blaze that burned for over a month. A particularly dry year, combined with strong winds, meant that the fire consumed nearly an acre per second. It ultimately scorched 156,293 acres, making it the second biggest fire in our state’s history. During the blaze, 63 homes were lost.
The above picture of the Las Conchas Fire was captured by a crew member on the International Space Station, at an altitude of 235 miles above Earth.
Here is the land after the fire was finally put out:
3. Cerro Grande Fire (2000)
On May 10, 2000, a prescribed burn in Bandelier National Monument escaped its planned boundaries. High winds allowed sparks to travel up to a mile and the fire spread to Los Alamos, the pueblos of Santa Clara and San Pueblo, and into the Santa Fe National Forest.
The 18,000 residents of Los Alamos and White Rock had to evacuate. According to FEMA, more than 400 homes were damaged or decimated as the flames burned 47,650 acres of land. This fire resulted in $570 million worth of damages, some of which are visible in this photo.
4. Little Bear Fire (2012)
On June 4, 2012, a lightning strike started the Little Bear Fire in the Lincoln National Forest. The blaze scorched a total of 44,330 acres in the Smoky Bear Ranger District, causing $11.5 million in damages. A total of 242 homes along with 10 outbuildings were burned or destroyed. The steep, rugged landscape made this fire particularly challenging to contain.
In the top image, a plane has just released fire retardant over the blaze. This bottom picture shows smoke from the fire as seen from space.
What are your memories of these fires? Share them on the Only In New Mexico Facebook page. Personally, we will never forget the moment we realized an especially vibrant "sunset" over the Jemez Mountains was actually the Las Conchas Fire.
To learn about scheduled prescribed burns, active fires, and disaster preparedness measures, visit this informative website that is the result of collaboration between several state and federal agencies.
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