Red Flag Warning

Locations Affected

El Paso, TX ∙ Las Cruces, NM ∙ Grama, NM ∙ White Sands, NM ∙ Ruidoso Downs, NM ∙ Sparks, TX ∙ Pleasanton, NM ∙ Silver City, NM ∙ Cookes Peak, NM ∙ Butterfield, TX

Headline

...CRITICAL TO EXTREME FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ON THURSDAY... ...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ON SATURDAY...
.Deep southwest flow will increase on Thursday with the passage of an upper level jet streak. Deep surface low over eastern Colorado will extend a strong pressure gradient southward into New Mexico and west Texas, leading to strong winds area wide Thursday afternoon. West-southwest winds with sustained speeds of 30 to 40 mph and peak gusts around 55 mph combined with very low relative humidity values will lead to critical fire weather conditions and the risk of rapid fire start and spread through much of the daytime hours Thursday. Fuel moisture had dried rapidly this month, especially along the desert lowlands, due to preexisting drought status and lack of recent precipitation. Winds subsiding overnight into Friday morning, likely picking back up again Friday and Saturday afternoons. On Saturday, particularly, there is high confidence much of the Rio Grande Valley, Tularosa Basin, and far West Texas will see critical fire concerns again.

Full Alert Message

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM 141 PM MDT Wed Apr 24 2024 ...CRITICAL TO EXTREME FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ON THURSDAY... ...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ON SATURDAY... .Deep southwest flow will increase on Thursday with the passage of an upper level jet streak. Deep surface low over eastern Colorado will extend a strong pressure gradient southward into New Mexico and west Texas, leading to strong winds area wide Thursday afternoon. West-southwest winds with sustained speeds of 30 to 40 mph and peak gusts around 55 mph combined with very low relative humidity values will lead to critical fire weather conditions and the risk of rapid fire start and spread through much of the daytime hours Thursday. Fuel moisture had dried rapidly this month, especially along the desert lowlands, due to preexisting drought status and lack of recent precipitation. Winds subsiding overnight into Friday morning, likely picking back up again Friday and Saturday afternoons. On Saturday, particularly, there is high confidence much of the Rio Grande Valley, Tularosa Basin, and far West Texas will see critical fire concerns again. ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 9 PM MDT THURSDAY FOR STRONG WINDS AND VERY DRY HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 055, 056, 110, 111, 112, AND 113... * WIND...West to southwest at 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 55 mph. * HUMIDITY...7 to 15 percent. * EXPERIMENTAL RFTI...6-8 Critical to Extreme in Southern New Mexico and Far West Texas desert lowlands. 5-7 Critical for Lincoln and Gila National Forests. * IMPACTS...any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. &&

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