Red Flag Warning issued March 11 at 1:59PM MDT until March 12 at 7:00PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM

…RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT WEDNESDAY BETWEEN NOON AND 7PM FOR
THE EAST CENTRAL PLAINS DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY…

…FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING FOR
THE MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY, SANDIA AND MANZANO MOUNTAINS BELOW
SNOWPACK AND ALL OF EASTERN NEW MEXICO DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW
HUMIDITY…

.Strong west to northwest winds will develop Wednesday across
eastern New Mexico as an upper level trough departs the area.
These strong winds in combination with high temperatures around 5
to 8 degrees above normal and daytime humidity values falling
below 15 percent will yield critical fire weather conditions for
several hours across the East Central Plains. Winds will decrease
Wednesday evening, easing the concern for critical fire weather
conditions. However, strong southwest winds will return on
Thursday nearly areawide. Humidity values will fall between 15 and
20 percent from the middle Rio Grande Valley eastward to the Texas
border, resulting in critical fire weather conditions.

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Red Flag
Warning…which is in effect from noon to 7 PM MDT Wednesday. A
Fire Weather Watch has also been issued. This Fire Weather Watch
is in effect from Thursday afternoon through Thursday evening.

* AREA AND TIMING…This includes the East Central Plains (Zone
126) Wednesday afternoon through early evening and again
Thursday afternoon through Thursday evening.

* 20 FOOT WINDS…On Wednesday, northwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts
up to 50 mph. On Thursday, southwest winds of 20 to 30 mph with
gusts up to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY…Minimum humidity values between 12 and 15
percent each day.

* IMPACTS…Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
Outdoor burning is not recommended.