Tree deaths in New Mexico forests have doubled since 2023, according to a state survey released Monday, driven by insects and stress from prolonged warmer conditions. Those deaths include 70,000 acres of conifer trees in 2024, more than twice the 33,000 acres recorded the year prior. Native insects largely drove the tree damage, according to Victor Lucero, coordinator for the state Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department’s Forest Health Program. “Especially in bark beetles, longer, warmer and drier conditions stretching further into the fall, these insects can increase the number of generations they have each season,” Lucero told Source NM. The New Mexico Forest Health Conditions 2024 survey assessed approximately 14 million acres of forests by air across state, private, federal and tribal forests. About 406,000 acres showed damage from disease, insects and drought, a growth of 12%, with 42,000 more acres than last year. Wildfire also played a role.