Wildfire — South Central Mountains, New Mexico

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

Event narrative

A downed power line about 4.3 miles southwest of Nogal sparked the Nogal Canyon Fire on April 12, 2022. This fire spread to 400 acres by April 13th and destroyed 6 homes and 8 outbuildings while threatening 50 others. Residences in Nogal Canyon up to New Mexico State Highway 37 were given evacuation orders. By April 17th, the fire had spread to 433 acres with 4 percent containment. By the end of the month on April 30th, the Nogal Canyon Fire was 84 percent contained with full containment anticipated in May. 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 1012051. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.