New Mexico Forests in Crisis

Over 200,000 acres of New Mexico forests died last year due to a deadly combo of drought and bark beetles — a one-two punch that’s turning landscapes into fire hazards. The worst-hit areas include Socorro, Catron, Lincoln, Otero, and northern Gila counties, where overcrowded forests and stressed trees can’t fight back. While monsoon rains offer some relief, the real fix? Thinning forests — best done in winter — to give healthy trees a fighting chance. Experts warn more tree deaths could come if drought persists, but there’s a silver lining: dead trees enrich soil and create wildlife habitats. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/5caf8a111d5cf576