In addition to the standard four seasons, New Mexico also has fire season.
If you are a resident of NM, you understand the threat that comes with the dry land. Some years are blessedly calm, while other years it seems like one blaze is barely contained when two others ignite.
There are fires nearly every year in the state, and the firefighters across the state stay busy keeping residents, houses, and the beautiful land safe from the engulfing flames that take over during this season.
There have been four wildfires that New Mexicans, and other U.S. citizens, will never forget.
Little Bear Fire (2012)
On June 4th 2012, a lighting 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 first image, the flames engulf the land, making the night sky glow orange.
The second picture shows smoke from the fire, as seen from space.
Cerro Grande Fire (2000)
On May 10th, 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 photos.
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 second picture of the Las Conchas Fire was captured by a crewmember on the International Space Station, at an altitude of 235 miles above Earth. That’s how much smoke this fire produced. It could be seen from Space.
Whitewater-Baldy Complex Fire (2012)
The Whitewater-Baldy Complex Fire was the largest to ever rage across New Mexico.
It began on June 14th, 2012, following 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 from the state and around the country.
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.
What are your memories of these fires?
Is there another wildfire you think should be on the list?
Personally, I will never forget the moment I realized an especially vibrant sunset over the Jemez Mountains was actually the Las Conchas Fire.
Let’s hope this year is an uneventful one.
