Urgent - Fire Weather Message
National Weather Service - El Paso TX/Santa Teresa NM
736 am MDT Sun Jun 23 2013

Sustained southwest winds aloft to 25-35 mph...will continue over southwest New Mexico today. An exceptionally dry atmosphere with an absence of significant cloud cover...will continue to allow nearly the full strength of these winds to mix down to the levels of higher ridge tops in the Gila Region. This includes the main ridges of the Mimbres Mountains and Black Range. With Haines Indices of 5 to 6...extremely low fuel moistures even on large fuels and continued hot conditions expected through at least Monday...this pattern will sustain critical fire conditions meeting red flag criteria.

Similar conditions are expected for Monday.

Nmz110-240300-Southwest Mountains-
736 am MDT Sun Jun 23 2013

Red flag warning remains in effect from noon today to 9 pm MDT this evening for strong winds and low humidity for fire weather zone 110.

Fire weather watch in effect from Monday afternoon through Monday evening for strong winds and low humidity for fire weather zone 110.

The National Weather Service in El Paso TX/Santa Teresa NM has also issued a fire weather watch...which is in effect from Monday afternoon through Monday evening.

* Area affected: northern Gila Region and east slopes of the Black Range including northern and eastern portions of fire weather zone 110.

* Timing: Sunday from noon to 9 pm. Noon to 9 pm Monday for the watch.

* Wind: Sunday and Monday...20-foot winds 20 to 25 mph with gusts 35 to 40 mph.

* Humidity: minimum rh 7 to 11 percent. Monday: 9 to 13 percent.

* Haines Index: 6. 5 expected on Monday.

* Impacts...any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. Very active to extreme fire activity is likely.

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 will create extreme fire growth potential.

A fire weather watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible red flag warnings.