2025 New Mexico wildfires


The 2025 New Mexico wildfires were a series of wildfires that burned in the U.S. state of New Mexico.

Background

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.

Summary

The 2025 New Mexico wildfire season has been more active than in some recent years, fueled by worsening drought, low humidity, and strong winds.
By early June, large fires had already erupted in southwestern New Mexico. The Buck and Trout fires—both ignited by lightning—together burned over 80,000 acres by mid-June, rapidly spreading under dry, windy conditions.
The Trout Fire, located in Grant County near the Gila National Forest, has consumed more than 47,000 acres as of July 9 and remains mostly contained.
Prescribed fire operations have also been scheduled in many areas, particularly in the Carson and Cibola National Forests, as part of hazardous fuels reduction efforts.
Smoke from large fires, particularly in the southwest, has affected air quality in adjacent counties and reduced visibility on impacted days.

List of wildfires

The following is a list of fires that burned more than, produced significant structural damage, or resulted in casualties.
NameCountyAcresStart dateContainment dateNotesRef.
Cottonwood CanyonLincoln2,0118 2 202514 2 2025Caused by human activity. The fire resulted in approximately $450,000 in damage.
Mogote HillMora, San Miguel21,43314 3 20257 4 2025
TroutGrant47,29412 6 202525 7 2025Lightning-caused. Burned about north of Silver City and prompted evacuations for the Lake Roberts area and destroyed two houses.
BuckCatron57,75311 6 202521 7 2025Started from a lightning strike on BLM lands. Threatened structures on private ranches.
LagunaRio Arriba17,41525 6 202519 9 2025Lightning-caused. Burned about north of Gallina.
TurkeyfeatherCatron24,17830 6 202510 9 2025Lightning-caused. Burned southeast of Reserve.
GooseGrant3,6909 7 20254 8 2025Lightning-caused. Burned northwest of Silver City.
Middle MesaRio Arriba5,0311 8 2025Lightning-caused. Burned 5 miles east of Navajo Lake.
Vereda BlancaSandoval1,3078 8 2025Lightning-caused. Burned northwest of Albuquerque.