Headline

Red Flag Warning issued March 14 at 3:10PM MDT until March 15 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM

Description

...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS THIS WEEKEND FOR LINCOLN
NATIONAL FOREST, PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL NEW MEXICO AND FAR WEST
TEXAS...

An approaching upper level disturbance will bring increasing west
winds to the area this afternoon, and near-critical fire weather
conditions to the lowlands. Winds will generally diminish after
sunset, but stronger winds are expected to return to the
Sacramento Mountains and nearby areas of New Mexico Fire Zone 113
late tonight into Sunday morning, while relative humidity values
remain low. The timing of critical fire weather conditions is
unusual. Also. rapid drying of fuels over Lincoln National Forest
over the past few weeks have increased the risk of fire spread.

A strong jet stream will continue crossing the central Rockies on
Sunday, leading to more windy conditions in the afternoon, with
conditions potentially reaching critical thresholds in the
afternoon again, though winds will be on the lower end of
critical.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 113 Capitan and Sacramento
Mountains/Lincoln NF/LNZ.

* TIMING...3 PM Saturday afternoon through 6 PM Sunday evening.

* WINDS...West 20 to 30 with gusts to 40 mph this afternoon.
Increasing in the predawn hours Sunday to 30 to 40 mph, with
gusts up to 60 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 7 percent, with poor overnight
recovery.

* EXPERIMENTAL RFTI... 4 to 5 Near Critical to Critical.

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

Instructions

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.

Additional Details