Red Flag Warning issued March 18 at 8:07AM MDT until March 18 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM

…CRITICAL TO EXTREME FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS RETURN TUESDAY…

.A passing weather system will bring very strong winds and dry
conditions to Southern New Mexico and Far West Texas today.
Relative humidity will drop into the teens and lower double
digits by late morning, with single digits favored in lowland
areas east of the Rio Grande, where overnight recovery was quite
poor. Humidity values will remain low well into the evening.
Southwest to 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 35 mph,
with gusts exceeding 55 mph are expected. ERC values are well
above average for mid March. Fire danger will be critical due to
these weather conditions.

* AFFECTED AREA…All New Mexico fire weather zones excepting
FWZ110, and Far West Texas. This includes fire weather zones
FWZ055, FWZ056, FWZ111, FWZ112, FWZ113.

* TIMING…11 AM through 9 PM Tuesday.

* WINDS…West 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 65 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY…Lowlands 6 to 10 percent, mountains 12 to
15 percent, with higher values above 7500 feet.

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

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