Wildfire in Quay County, New Mexico

The lightning caused Mimms fire began on private land in southwestern Quay County, northwest of Jordan and north of NM Highway 156. The fire made wind driven runs on May 15th, growing to a final size of 7,093 acres before coming under control May 17th.

Modest moisture across eastern NM, coupled with increased dry southwesterly flow May 14th to produce abundant dry lightning strikes across east-central and northeastern NM. The critical fire weather conditions allowed these fires to rapidly spread and make wind-driven runs. The dry lightning starts included the Mimms and Line, and likely the Black Mesa Trail wildfires. The Black Mesa Trail wildfire was reported have quickly moved across the state line into OK before reaching a notable size in NM. A fourth wildfire called the Range fire was reported in Roosevelt County with an unknown cause. A fifth wildfire in Lincoln County was an unfortunate start from a downed airplane in the northern slopes of the Capitan Mountains north of Ruidoso, named the Seven Cabins Wildfire.