Red Flag Warning Issued for Sacramento Mountains in Southern New Mexico

Alert Details

A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service in El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM. This alert indicates that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or are imminent due to a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers Fire Weather Zone 113, which includes the Capitan and Sacramento Mountains, the Lincoln National Forest, and LNZ in southern New Mexico.

What You Should Do

Outdoor burning is strictly not recommended during this period. Residents are advised to exercise extreme caution, as any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. The NWS urges residents to prepare for extreme fire behavior and follow all local fire safety regulations.

Expected Conditions

An upper-level storm system is expected to produce the following conditions in the Sacramento Mountains:

• Winds: Southwest winds between 20 to 30 mph, with gusts potentially reaching 45 to 50 mph.
• Humidity: Critically low relative humidity levels ranging from 8% to 15%.
• Temperatures: Maximum temperatures reaching up to 71 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Fire Impact: The combination of high winds and dry air will create an environment where fires can spread with high velocity.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is effective from 11:00 AM MST to 7:00 PM MST on Thursday, March 5, 2026. While winds may continue through the night into Friday morning, humidity levels are expected to rise above critical thresholds after 7:00 PM Thursday.