Red Flag Warning

Locations Affected

Albuquerque, NM ∙ Rio Rancho, NM ∙ Santa Fe, NM ∙ Raton Municipal Crews Field Airport, NM ∙ Magdalena, NM ∙ Puerto de Luna, NM ∙ Las Nutrias, NM ∙ Delphos, NM ∙ North Valley, NM ∙ Cochiti Pueblo, NM

Headline

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 9 PM MDT TODAY DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR SOUTHWEST, CENTRAL AND EASTERN NEW MEXICO...
.Another round of critical to extreme fire weather conditions is expected across southwest, central, and eastern New Mexico today after poor humidity recoveries and continued breezy conditions overnight. Winds will be even stronger across eastern New Mexico with gusts of 50 to 55+ mph. Several hours of single digit humidity values are expected across east central and southeast New Mexico as well. Winds will decrease this evening easing the critical fire weather conditions. However, a cold front advancing south through eastern New Mexico will bring a sudden northerly to northeasterly wind shift overnight. Gusty conditions will occur for a few hours behind the front.

Full Alert Message

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Albuquerque NM 136 AM MDT Mon May 18 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 9 PM MDT TODAY DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR SOUTHWEST, CENTRAL AND EASTERN NEW MEXICO... .Another round of critical to extreme fire weather conditions is expected across southwest, central, and eastern New Mexico today after poor humidity recoveries and continued breezy conditions overnight. Winds will be even stronger across eastern New Mexico with gusts of 50 to 55+ mph. Several hours of single digit humidity values are expected across east central and southeast New Mexico as well. Winds will decrease this evening easing the critical fire weather conditions. However, a cold front advancing south through eastern New Mexico will bring a sudden northerly to northeasterly wind shift overnight. Gusty conditions will occur for a few hours behind the front. ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM THIS MORNING TO 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING... * AFFECTED AREA...Northeast Plains (Zone 104), Middle Rio Grande Valley (Zone 106), West Central Basin and Range (Zone 109), Upper Rio Grande Valley and Lower Chama River Valley (Zone 121), Sangre de Cristo Mountains (Zone 122), Northeast Highlands (Zone 123), Sandia and Manzano Mountains (Zone 124), Central Highlands (Zone 125), and East Central Plains (Zone 126). * TIMING...From 9 AM this morning to 9 PM MDT this evening. * 20 FOOT WINDS...Southwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Localized gusts up to 55 to 60 mph possible across northeast NM. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Relative humidity between 5 to 15 percent. * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of this Red Flag Warning.

---