Red Flag Warning Issued for Northeast and East-Central Plains of New Mexico
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Tuesday, February 17, as damaging winds and low humidity create conditions for rapid fire spread.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Albuquerque NM has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Northeast and East-Central Plains. This alert indicates that critical fire weather conditions are expected due to a combination of strong winds and low relative humidity. This warning replaces the previously issued Fire Weather Watch for these areas.
Affected Areas
The warning covers the following geographic regions in New Mexico:
- Northeast Plains (Fire Weather Zone 104)
- East-Central Plains (Fire Weather Zone 126)
What You Should Do
Residents are urged to exercise extreme caution. Outdoor burning is not recommended under these conditions, as any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Please advise appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of this Red Flag Warning to ensure emergency readiness.
Expected Conditions
A storm system approaching from the west will bring significant hazards to the region:
- Winds: Southwest to west winds of 30 to 40 mph are expected.
- Wind Gusts: Peak gusts are forecast to reach between 55 and 70 mph.
- Humidity: Minimum relative humidity values will drop to between 14% and 21%.
- Fire Spread: The combination of high winds and low humidity will allow for rapid fire spread among fine fuels.
Timeline
The Red Flag Warning for the Northeast Plains and East-Central Plains is effective from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM MST on Tuesday, February 17. An additional warning is also in effect for the Northeast Highlands from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Monday, February 16.
Source: NOAA Official Notice