Red Flag Warning Issued for Northeast Highlands and Plains of New Mexico
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Northeast New Mexico through Tuesday evening, citing dangerous fire conditions driven by high winds and low humidity.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Northeast Highlands, Northeast Plains, and East-Central Plains. This alert is triggered by a combination of strong winds and low relative humidity, which creates a high risk for critical fire weather conditions. This warning replaces the previous Fire Weather Watch.
Affected Areas
The warning specifically impacts the Northeast Highlands (Zone 123), the Northeast Plains, and the East-Central Plains of New Mexico.
What You Should Do
Residents are strongly advised that outdoor burning is not recommended during this period. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly due to the prevailing conditions. Local officials and fire crews in the field should be notified of the warning to ensure readiness.
Expected Conditions
A storm system approaching from the west will bring significant wind speeds and dry air to the region, impacting fine fuels:
- Monday Afternoon: Southwest winds of 20 to 25 mph with gusts reaching up to 40 mph. Relative humidity values will drop to between 10% and 15%.
- Tuesday Afternoon and Evening: Southwest to west winds will increase to 30 to 40 mph, with peak gusts ranging from 55 to 70 mph. Relative humidity values are expected to be between 15% and 20%.
Timeline
The Red Flag Warning is effective during the following windows:
- Monday, February 16: From 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM MST.
- Tuesday, February 17: From 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM MST.
Source: NOAA Official Notice