Wildfire — South Central Mountains, New Mexico

2022-04-12 to 2022-04-30 · South Central Mountains, New Mexico

Event narrative

The McBride Fire started on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, in Gavilan Canyon within the Village of Ruidoso and spread quickly due to 70 to 80 mph winds in the area. By Thursday, April 14th, the fire had burned more than 5,700 acres and burned 207 homes and structures while threatening 1,000 more. The wildfire prompted mandatory evacuations for an estimated 5,000 people. By Sunday, April 17th, the wildfire grew to 6,185 acres, but was 52 percent contained which allowed for evacuation orders to be lifted. At the end of the month on April 30th, the McBride Fire was 95 percent contained. The wildfire is estimated to be fully contained in early May. The cause of the wildfire is unknown. Unfortunately, this wildfire was responsible for the deaths of an elderly couple in Ruidoso. The couple tried to evacuate according to family members, but were unaccounted for. While their vehicle was still at their destroyed home, their remains were found near their home on Wednesday, April 13th. No other information has been made available. Damages are estimated.

Wider weather episode

As a storm system tracked to the north of New Mexico on April 11-12, 2022, it steered a potent polar jet over the state. With a continued deep surface low pressure system over northeastern New Mexico and ample deep mixing across all of northern and central New Mexico, windy conditions persisted. Winds peaked on April 12th as the core of the jet crossed the state, and many areas measured wind gusts in excess of 58 mph. The strongest winds during this event were recorded along and east of the central mountain chain which was in closer proximity to the deep surface low. Ruidoso and areas nearby were hardest hit with several hours of wind gusts of 70 to 80 mph. With exceptionally dry conditions also present, this fueled the start for the McBride Fire which prompted evacuation orders and was responsible for the deaths of two citizens. These conditions also helped to start the Big Hole Fire near Belen as well as the Nogal Canyon Fire near Capitan, which threatened multiple homes and structures.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1012040. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.