Wildfire — Far Northwest Highlands, New Mexico

2025-08-01 to 2025-08-10 · Far Northwest Highlands, New Mexico

Event narrative

The Middle Mesa Wildfire was started by lightning just west of Navajo Lake and 22 miles west of Dulce, NM. It quickly grew out of control on August 2nd, reaching a total size of 5,045 acres by August 10th. Impacts were limited to very remote areas of far northwestern NM in the Carson National Forest along Forest Road 218A.

Wider weather episode

The combination of long term drought and very dry atmospheric conditions alongside virga showers allowed the lightning start Middle Mesa Wildfire to quickly grow on August 2nd after being discovered the day before in an area east of Navajo Lake. The fire continued to grow to just over 5,000 acres by August 10th toward the east just south of the NM and CO border. Given the remote area of the wildfire, there were no damaged and destroyed structures. Only impacts along Forest Road 218A were noted.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1278836. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.