…RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT SATURDAY BETWEEN 1PM AND 8PM FOR
THE NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS AND PLAINS, WEST CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, AS
WELL AS THE UPPER RIO GRANDE AND LOWER CHAMA RIVER VALLEYS DUE TO
STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY AND HIGH FIRE DANGER…
…FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT SATURDAY BETWEEN 1PM AND 8PM FOR
THE WEST CENTRAL BASIN AND RANGE DUE TO STRONG WINDS, LOW
HUMIDITY AND HIGH FIRE DANGER…
…FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT SUNDAY BETWEEN 11AM AND 8PM FOR
THE UPPER RIO GRANDE AND LOWER CHAMA RIVER VALLEYS, SANGRE DE
CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NORTHEAST AND CENTRAL HIGHLANDS DUE TO STRONG
WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY AND HIGH FIRE DANGER…
.Well above normal temperatures, very low humidity, strengthening
west-southwest winds, and high fire danger will lead to critical
fire weather conditions Saturday afternoon and evening. High
temperatures will be 15 to 25 degrees above normal with 6 to 12
hours of single digit humidity expected. Strongest winds are
expected across northeast New Mexico. More critical fire weather
conditions are expected Sunday as above normal temperatures with
exceptionally dry conditions persist. Winds will be strongest over
and near the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Central Highlands
Sunday. In sparse areas, fuels may have begun to green up after
the rain and snow last weekend, which would mitigate the potential
for rapid fire spread.
* AREA AND TIMING…This includes the Northeast Highlands (Zone
123) and the upper Rio Grande and lower Chama River Valleys
(Zone 121) from 1 pm to 8 pm MDT Saturday, and again Sunday
late morning through early evening.
* 20 FOOT WINDS…West to southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with
gusts between 35 and 40 mph each day.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY…Minimum values between 5 and 8 percent
each day.
* IMPACTS…Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
Outdoor burning is not recommended.