ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – In 2024, New Mexico has already seen several devastating wildfires, but a new report says the coming months will bring above-normal potential for wildfires in much of the state.
The report comes from the National Interagency Fire Center. It considers drought and other risk factors across the nation.
Story Continues Below
Experts predict increased potential for fires across New Mexico. Image courtesy National Interagency Fire Center.
Despite some recent rain, both northern and southern New Mexico are seeing persistent drought, the report notes. Central New Mexico is likely to develop drought conditions through July.
Higher-than-normal temperatures across the southwest are also playing a factor in an increased potential for wildfires. Through the month of June, much of New Mexico saw daily mean temperatures three to five degrees above average (compared to data from 1991 through 2020), the report notes.
What could change the long-term potential for fires is this year’s monsoon season. Normally, New Mexico sees increased summer rains from June 15 to the end of September. That moisture comes from the Gulf of Mexico (click here to learn more about how monsoons work in New Mexico).
This year, there is some uncertainty about how the monsoon will play out, the report notes. The Gulf of Mexico is likely to be relatively active this year, which could drive monsoon rain, but just how far west that rain will reach is unclear, the report says.
