AZ and NM feature some interesting firescapes from year to year, and often annually. The very low deserts rarely burn very far due to sparsity of fuel, but the high deserts often go roaring fueled by dry grasses, mesquite, then manzanita and juniper. It becomes even more intense up higher with the mix of juniper, cedar and pinyon. Add those in the high elevation ponderosa/conifer forests in more steep terrain, when dry and with wind, and the fires become very intense and fast moving. Very difficult to control/extinguish - much appreciation to those who do that work.
