The Fossil Fuels behind Forest Fires in New Mexico

The Union of Concerned Scientists analysis finds that emissions from the 88 largest fossil fuel companies and cement manufacturers are responsible for 48 percent of the rise in fire-danger conditions in western North America since 1901 and 37 percent of the cumulative burned forest area since 1986. In New Mexico, over 4,000 wildfires burned more than 800,000 acres between 2017 and 2021, with the 2022 Calf Canyon/Hermit’s Peak Fire becoming the state's largest on record. The document argues that these companies should be held accountable for the costs of climate change and recommends that state governments implement policies to reduce human-ignited fires, increase forest health resources, protect community health, and prioritize equitable investments for low-income communities.

• Emissions from the 88 largest fossil fuel companies and cement manufacturers are responsible for 48 percent of the increase in fire-danger conditions (measured by vapor pressure deficit) in western North America since 1901.
• Since 1986, 37 percent of the cumulative burned forest area in western North America is attributable to emissions from the 88 largest carbon producers. This represents nearly 19.8 million acres out of a total of 53.0 million acres of forested land burned in the region.
• New Mexico has faced severe wildfire impacts, including more than 4,000 wildfires that burned over 800,000 acres and destroyed nearly 50 homes and businesses from 2017 to 2021. The 2022 Calf Canyon/Hermit’s Peak Fire is the largest fire on record for the state, burning more than 340,000 acres.
• The document recommends that state governments hold fossil fuel companies accountable by preserving court access for impacted communities, accounting for climate risks in investments, and pressuring companies to stop greenwashing and update business models to align with the Paris Agreement.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2023). The Fossil Fuels behind Forest Fires in New Mexico. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/fossil-fuels-behind-forest-fires-NM.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. The Fossil Fuels behind Forest Fires in New Mexico. 2023. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/fossil-fuels-behind-forest-fires-NM.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=The Fossil Fuels behind Forest Fires in New Mexico |date=May 2023 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/fossil-fuels-behind-forest-fires-NM.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2023fossil, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{The Fossil Fuels behind Forest Fires in New Mexico}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2023}, month = may, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/fossil-fuels-behind-forest-fires-NM.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }