Event
wildfire season
The 2020 New Mexico wildfire season began in May 2020. At least 543 wildfires burned across the state, with fires burning as late as October 2020. The season was a part of the 2020 Western United States wildfire season.
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Text from the Wikipedia article “2020 New Mexico wildfires”, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
The 2020 New Mexico wildfire season began in May 2020. At least 543 wildfires burned across the state, with fires burning as late as October 2020. The season was a part of the 2020 Western United States wildfire season.
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.
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.
The following is a list of fires that burned more than 1,000 acres (400 ha), or produced significant structural damage or casualties.
Text from the Wikipedia article “2020 New Mexico wildfires”, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.