Red Flag Warning Issued for Northeast and East Central New Mexico Through Monday

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Red Flag Warning for much of northeast and east central New Mexico. This alert replaces the previous Fire Weather Watch as critical fire weather conditions are expected to persist due to strong winds and extremely low humidity.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following geographic regions and zones in New Mexico:

• Northeast Plains (Zone 104)
• Northeast Highlands (Zone 123)
• Central Highlands (Zone 125)
• East Central Plains (Zone 126)

According to the NWS, the greatest confidence for critical wind speeds will develop in the area from U.S. Highway 60 north to the Interstate 40 corridor and U.S. Highway 412.

What You Should Do

Outdoor burning is not recommended under these conditions. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly and become difficult to control. Residents are urged to advise appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of this Red Flag Warning.

Expected Conditions

Critical fire weather is being driven by persistent surface low pressure, ample atmospheric mixing, and well-above-normal high temperatures.

• Winds: Today, southwest winds of 25 to 35 mph are expected with gusts up to 45 mph. On Monday, southwest or west winds will reach 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.
• Humidity: Minimum relative humidity values will drop to between 5 and 11 percent on both days.
• Impacts: The combination of strong winds, low humidity, and dry fuels means any fire starts will likely exhibit rapid growth.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is effective during the following periods:

• Sunday, March 8: From noon through 8 PM MDT.
• Monday, March 9: From 11 AM through 7 PM MDT.