Headline:
Red Flag Warning issued April 22 at 5:51AM MDT until April 23 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
Event:
Red Flag Warning
Urgency:
Expected
Effective:
April 22, 2026 - 4:51am
Expires:
April 22, 2026 - 8:00pm
Description:
...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS LIKELY THURSDAY SOUTHWEST NEW
MEXICO AND SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS OF NEW MEXICO...
Dry and breezy weather pattern Wednesday and Thursday will set
the stage for critical fire weather conditions across the New
Mexico fire zones for Thursday. A shortwave trough coming across
the Southern Rockies will induce surface low pressure in the
Southern Plains on Thursday. West winds of 20 to 25 mph are
forecast with gusts to 35 mph during the afternoon. Minimum
relative humidity values of 7 to 15 percent are forecast.
Widespread tree mortality and die back fuels will increase the
wildfire risk as ERCs climb towards the 90th percentile.
The National Weather Service in El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa has
issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 10 AM to 8 PM
MDT Thursday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.
* AFFECTED AREA...New Mexico Fire Weather Zones 110, 111, 112, and
113, including the Southwest Mountains and Gila NF, the
Southwest Deserts and Lowlands, the South Central Lowlands and
Southern Rio Grande Valley, and the Capitan and Sacramento
Mountains.
* TIMING...winds increasing after 10 am, and peaking in the
late afternoon hours.
* WINDS...West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...7-10 percent.
* EXPERIMENTAL RFTI...3 to 5, Near Critical to Critical.
* IMPACTS...any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
Outdoor burning is not recommended.
Instruction:
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.
Area Description:
Southwest Mountains; Southwest Deserts and Lowlands; South Central Lowlands And Southern Rio Grande Valley; Capitan And Sacramento Mountains
Forcast Office:
NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
Sender: