Luna County, NM

In effect from Thursday 04/23 10:00 AM MDT – Thursday 04/23 8:00 PM MDT

Issued by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM

CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS TODAY FOR SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH CENTRAL NEW MEXICO

A passing Pacific trough will keep the region dry and will increase winds this afternoon. These warm, dry, and windy conditions will further trend fuels drier, and will set the stage for critical fire weather conditions across the southern New Mexico fire zones. West winds of 20 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 to 40 mph are expected during the afternoon. Minimum relative humidity values of 7 to 15 percent are forecast. Widespread tree mortality and die back fuels will increase the wildfire risk as ERCs climb towards the 90th percentile.

Affected Area

New Mexico Fire Weather Zones 110, 111, 112, and 113, including the Southwest Mountains and Gila NF, the Southwest Deserts and Lowlands, the South Central Lowlands, the Southern Rio Grande Valley, and the Sacramento and Capitan Mountains.

Timing

Winds increasing after 10 AM, and peaking in the middle to late afternoon hours.

Winds

West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

Relative Humidity

7 to 12 percent.

Experimental Rfti

3 to 5, Near Critical to Critical.

Impacts

any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

What to do

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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