Red Flag Warning

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
515 AM MDT Fri Apr 17 2026

...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ACROSS SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO
TODAY...

Dry and breezy weather pattern today as subtropical jet flow
aloft increases over the Southern Rockies. West winds peak during
the afternoon hours, especially over the Lincoln National Forest
where gusts up to 40 mph will be possible. Critically dry
conditions continue, with relative humidity falling below 15%.
Widespread tree mortality and dieback fuels will increase the
wildfire risk in both the Gila and Lincoln National Forests as
ERCs climb back above the average.

NMZ110>113-180200-
/O.CON.KEPZ.FW.W.0006.260417T1800Z-260418T0200Z/
Southwest Mountains/Gila NF/Apache NF/GLZ-
Southwest Deserts and Lowlands/Las Cruces BLM/GLZ-
South Central Lowlands and Southern Rio Grande Valley/BLM/GLZ-
Capitan and Sacramento Mountains/Lincoln NF/LNZ-
515 AM MDT Fri Apr 17 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM MDT
THIS EVENING FOR BREEZY WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR
SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH CENTRAL NEW MEXICO...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 110 Southwest Mountains/Gila
  NF/Apache NF/GLZ, Fire Weather Zone 111 Southwest Deserts and
  Lowlands/Las Cruces BLM/GLZ, Fire Weather Zone 112 South
  Central Lowlands and Southern Rio Grande Valley/BLM/GLZ and
  Fire Weather Zone 113 Capitan and Sacramento Mountains/Lincoln
  NF/LNZ.

* TIMING...From Noon to 8 PM Friday.

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

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...9 to 15 percent.

* EXPERIMENTAL RFTI...3 to 4, Near Critical.

* 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.

&&

$$

BROWN