The Whitewater Baldy Complex Fire, which occurred in 2012, was the largest wildfire in New Mexico’s history at the time, burning nearly 300,000 acres in the Gila National Forest. The fire was sparked by two separate lightning strikes in May 2012 and was finally contained in late July of that year.

Firefighting Efforts

According to reports, nearly 1,300 personnel were involved in the firefighting efforts, with crews working to build fire lines and contain the blaze. The fire was so powerful that it had scorched nearly 200,000 acres by the time it was partially contained.

The Whitewater Baldy Fire set the stage for megafires that would impact the state and the Southwest United States in the years that followed. In 2022, the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire became the largest in state history, burning more than 340,000 acres.

Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.