Fire Weather Watch

Locations Affected

El Paso, TX ∙ Las Cruces, NM ∙ Canutillo, TX ∙ Virden, NM ∙ Aragon, NM ∙ Sherman, NM ∙ Salem, NM ∙ La Union, NM ∙ Carrizo Mountain, NM ∙ Rancho Grande, NM

Headline

...EXTENDED DURATION OF CRITICAL TO EXTREME FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS AREAWIDE MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY...
.Approaching low pressure system moving on shore over the Pacific Northwest will induce stronger flow aloft across the Desert Southwest this week. The currently present ridge of high pressure will begin breaking down today, with winds strengthening across the southwest deserts and lowlands amongst very low humidity. Winds will strengthen further Tuesday through Wednesday areawide, with gusts around 50 mph common in the afternoon. Already present dry air will create critical to extreme fire weather conditions for southern New Mexico and far west Texas for both Tuesday and Wednesday.

Full Alert Message

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM 402 AM MDT Mon May 12 2025 ...EXTENDED DURATION OF CRITICAL TO EXTREME FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS AREAWIDE MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY... .Approaching low pressure system moving on shore over the Pacific Northwest will induce stronger flow aloft across the Desert Southwest this week. The currently present ridge of high pressure will begin breaking down today, with winds strengthening across the southwest deserts and lowlands amongst very low humidity. Winds will strengthen further Tuesday through Wednesday areawide, with gusts around 50 mph common in the afternoon. Already present dry air will create critical to extreme fire weather conditions for southern New Mexico and far west Texas for both Tuesday and Wednesday. ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING FOR FOR CRITICAL TO EXTREME FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR SOUTHWESTERN NEW MEXICO AND FAR WEST TEXAS... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING FOR FOR CRITICAL TO EXTREME FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR SOUTHWESTERN NEW MEXICO AND FAR WEST TEXAS... The National Weather Service in El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa has issued a Fire Weather Watch for for dry fuels, strong winds, and very dry conditions, which is in effect both Tuesday and Wednesday. * AFFECTED AREA...All of Southern New Mexico, including the Gila National Forest, Lincoln National Forest, Southern New Mexico Lowlands. Fire Weather zones 110, 111, 112, and 113. Also included is Far West Texas, El Paso county, fire weather zones 055. * TIMING...Both Tuesday and Wednesday between 11 am and 9 pm. * WINDS...Southwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8 percent. * TEMPERATURES...90-95 in the lowlands, 65-75 above 7500 ft. * EXPERIMENTAL RFTI...6 to 7 or Critical to Extreme. * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings.

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