The McBride Fire was a destructive wildfire that burned in the Lincoln National Forest near the community of Ruidoso in Lincoln County, New Mexico, in the United States as part of the 2022 New Mexico wildfire season.

[1][2] The official cause of the fire was determined to be a drought-stressed tree falling on power lines, which quickly ignited the dry surroundings.

[4] These winds prevented the use of aircraft against the fire on April 12, but better conditions allowed fixed-wing aircraft, including Very Large Air Tankers (VLATs), and helicopters to help fight the blaze on subsequent days.

[citation needed] Two fatalities were reported on April 13 by the New Mexico Department of Public Safety, after an elderly couple were reported missing by family members following a structure fire at their residence the day the fire started.

[4][5] In addition to the two deaths, the McBride Fire destroyed 207 structures, and multiple outbuildings.