The end of a way of life? Ranchers struggle to survive the south-west’s megadrought

Farmers are increasingly being forced to sell off parts of herds and seeing cows perish as drought conditions worsen

• Read the other stories in our megadrought series

In April, Carla Gomez found herself seeking shelter in the city of Las Vegas, New Mexico, not just for her but also for 75 of her sheep.

When flames had started creeping down the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range towards Los Vallecitos, her beef and lamb ranch in Mora county, she knew she had to flee. The fire was part of what would become the largest wildfire in the state's history, and her farm was directly in its path.