National Weather ServiceNew MexicoFire Weather WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Fire Weather Watches in New Mexico
The National Weather Service issued 75 fire weather watches for New Mexico in 2025 and 94 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 3rd most of any state. 2026 through September: 75, 16% below the average of 89 for those months in 2008-2025. East Central Plains was covered most often (595 times since 2008).
How many fire weather watches does New Mexico get?
Every fire weather watch that covered part of New Mexico. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 75 |
| 2025 | 75 |
| 2024 | 69 |
| 2023 | 84 |
| 2022 | 116 |
| 2021 | 74 |
| 2020 | 60 |
| 2019 | 36 |
| 2018 | 91 |
| 2017 | 82 |
| 2016 | 85 |
| 2015 | 32 |
| 2014 | 105 |
| 2013 | 92 |
| 2012 | 111 |
| 2011 | 210 |
| 2010 | 84 |
| 2009 | 121 |
| 2008 | 170 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does New Mexico get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in New Mexico?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Central Plains | 595 | 98 | May 18, 2026 |
| Northeast Plains | 537 | 111 | July 2, 2026 |
| Northeast Highlands | 488 | 116 | July 2, 2026 |
| Guadalupe Mountains | 409 | 0 | May 27, 2019 |
| Sandia Manzano And Gallinas Mountains | 394 | 0 | June 13, 2022 |
| South Central Lowlands And Southern Rio Grande Valley | 364 | 50 | May 18, 2026 |
| Southwest Deserts and Lowlands | 363 | 53 | June 27, 2026 |
| Southeast Plains | 308 | 0 | April 10, 2019 |
| Middle Rio Grande Valley | 295 | 53 | June 17, 2026 |
| Capitan And Sacramento Mountains | 288 | 44 | May 18, 2026 |
| Southwest Mountains | 268 | 40 | June 30, 2026 |
| Northwest Highlands | 207 | 0 | June 13, 2022 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a fire weather watch?
A fire weather watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible in the coming days; it often comes before a red flag warning. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in New Mexico.