…FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT SATURDAY BETWEEN 1PM AND 8PM FOR
THE NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS AND PLAINS, UPPER RIO GRANDE AND LOWER
CHAMA RIVER VALLEYS AND WEST CENTRAL NM AND DUE TO STRONG WINDS,
LOW HUMIDITY AND AN UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE…
.Well above normal temperatures, very low humidity, strengthening
west-southwest winds, and an unstable atmosphere will result in
critical fire weather conditions Saturday afternoon and evening.
High temperatures will be 15 to 20 degrees above normal with 6
to 12 hours of single digit humidity expected. More critical fire
weather conditions are expected Sunday. One potential mitigating
factor for rapid fire spread is if any fuels are not receptive due
to green-up from the rain and snow last weekend.
* AREA AND TIMING…This includes the Northeast Highlands and
Plains (Zones 123 and 104), the upper Rio Grande and lower
Chama River Valleys (Zone 121), the West Central Mountains and
the West Central Basin and Range (Zones 105 and 109) Saturday
afternoon through Saturday evening.
* 20 FOOT WINDS…West to southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with
gusts between 35 and 40 mph.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY…Minimum values between 4 and 8 percent.
* IMPACTS…Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
Outdoor burning is not recommended.