Fire Weather Watch issued March 15 at 6:45AM MDT until March 18 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM

…CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS RETURN TUESDAY…

.A passing Pacific trough, to our north, will bring a day of
strong winds, and dry conditions to Southern New Mexico and Far
West Texas. Temperatures will be slightly warmer than average for
the date, with afternoon instability increased. Relative humidity
will drop into the high single digits and lower teens by late
morning, and remain quite low well into the evening. West winds
will increase through the mid morning hours and will peak during
the mid and late-afternoon hours, even extending into the evening.
Sustained winds at and above 30 mph with gusts exceeding 50 mph
are expected. ERC values are well above average for mid March.
Fire danger will be critical due to these weather conditions.

The National Weather Service in El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa has
issued a Fire Weather Watch for critical fire weather conditions,
which is in effect from Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening.

* AFFECTED AREA…All fire weather zones across Far West Texas,
Southwest and South Central New Mexico. Including the Gila
National Forest, Lincoln National Forest, and the lowlands and
deserts across the Borderland region.

* TIMING…Beginning late Tuesday morning through late Tuesday
evening.

* WINDS…West 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY…Lowlands 7-12 percent. Mountains 13-18
percent.

* TEMPERATURES…Slightly above normal. Mid 70s to upper 70s.
74.

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