…CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS LIKELY FOR THE SACRAMENTO AND
CAPITAN MOUNTAINS SATURDAY…
.Increasing westerly flow aloft and surface low development over
the Texas Panhandle will result in breezy westerly winds across
southern New Mexico on Saturday afternoon. These winds will peak
in the mid and late afternoon over the elevated and exposed
terrain of the Sacramento and Capitan Mountains. Meanwhile,
relative humidity values will drop to the 8 to 12 percent
range above 7500 feet, and as low as 5 percent in the lower
elevations, especially east of the Sacramento Mountains. Fuels
remain very dry, and ERC values are around the 95th percentile,
increasing the risk despite lower-end wind speeds.
The National Weather Service in El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa has
issued a Red Flag Warning due to strong winds and low relative
humidity , which is in effect from noon to 8 PM MDT Saturday. This
upgrades the Fire Weather Watch previously in effect.
* AFFECTED AREA…Fire Weather Zone 113 Capitan and Sacramento
Mountains/Lincoln NF/LNZ.
* TIMING…Saturday afternoon and evening.
* WINDS…West 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY…Minimum RH 8 to 12 percent above 7500 feet,
and as low as 5 percent at lower elevations.
* TEMPERATURES…Maximum temperatures 55 yo 60 above 7500 feet,
and up to 74 at lower elevations.
* EXPERIMENTAL RFTI…4 to 6 or Near Critical to Critical
* IMPACTS…any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
Outdoor burning is not recommended.