National Weather ServiceNew MexicoRed Flag WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Red Flag Warnings in New Mexico
The National Weather Service issued 82 red flag warnings for New Mexico in 2025 and 108 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 5th most of any state. 2026 through September: 82, 19% below the average of 101 for those months in 2008-2025. East Central Plains was covered most often (640 times since 2008).
How many red flag warnings does New Mexico get?
Every red flag warning that covered part of New Mexico. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 82 |
| 2025 | 82 |
| 2024 | 71 |
| 2023 | 106 |
| 2022 | 135 |
| 2021 | 83 |
| 2020 | 79 |
| 2019 | 44 |
| 2018 | 106 |
| 2017 | 97 |
| 2016 | 95 |
| 2015 | 31 |
| 2014 | 116 |
| 2013 | 110 |
| 2012 | 123 |
| 2011 | 242 |
| 2010 | 107 |
| 2009 | 126 |
| 2008 | 184 |
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 | 640 | 110 | May 18, 2026 |
| Northeast Plains | 569 | 115 | July 2, 2026 |
| Northeast Highlands | 529 | 124 | July 2, 2026 |
| Guadalupe Mountains | 490 | 0 | May 27, 2019 |
| South Central Lowlands And Southern Rio Grande Valley | 424 | 60 | June 27, 2026 |
| Sandia Manzano And Gallinas Mountains | 423 | 0 | June 13, 2022 |
| Southwest Deserts and Lowlands | 418 | 58 | June 27, 2026 |
| Southeast Plains | 358 | 0 | April 10, 2019 |
| Middle Rio Grande Valley | 348 | 64 | June 17, 2026 |
| Capitan And Sacramento Mountains | 333 | 55 | May 17, 2026 |
| Southwest Mountains | 310 | 45 | June 27, 2026 |
| Northwest Highlands | 241 | 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.
The latest red flag warnings for New Mexico in AreaZine's record
NWS AlbuquerqueWarningJuly 1, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Northeast Plains and Northeast Highlands, NM
Expired 8:00 p.m. MDT, July 2, 2026
NWS AlbuquerqueWarningJune 30, 2026
Red Flag Warning: West Central Mountains, NM
Expired 7:00 p.m. MDT, June 30, 2026
NWS AlbuquerqueWarningJune 28, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Northeast Plains and Northeast Highlands, NM
Expired 7:00 p.m. MDT, June 29, 2026
NWS AlbuquerqueWarningJune 27, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Northwest Plateau, West Central Mountains, West Central Basin and Range and 3 more, NM
Expired 8:00 p.m. MDT, June 28, 2026
NWS El Paso Tx/Santa TeresaWarningJune 26, 2026
Red Flag Warning: South Central Lowlands And Southern Rio Grande Valley, NM
Expired 8:00 p.m. MDT, June 28, 2026
NWS AlbuquerqueWarningJune 26, 2026
Red Flag Warning: West Central Basin and Range, NM
Expired 8:00 p.m. MDT, June 27, 2026
NWS AlbuquerqueWarningJune 19, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Northwest Plateau, West Central Mountains, North Central Mountains and 1 more, NM
Expired 7:00 p.m. MDT, June 20, 2026
NWS AlbuquerqueWarningJune 17, 2026
Red Flag Warning: West Central Basin and Range, NM
Expired 9:00 p.m. MDT, June 17, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is a red flag warning?
A red flag warning means critical fire weather is happening or about to happen: strong wind, very low humidity and dry fuels together, so a fire that starts can spread fast. Each office sets the criteria with its land-management partners. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in New Mexico.