Critical Fire Conditions Expected Wednesday And Thursday Afternoons...

An approaching strong Pacific trough aloft with its associated cold front will approach the west coast overnight and move into the central and southern Rockies Thursday.

This will result in gusty 20-ft winds with sustained speeds 20 to 25 mph with gusts to 30 mph or more across southwest New Mexico Wednesday afternoon. On Thursday...strong gusty 20-ft winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 45 mph or more will mainly be concentrated to the lowlands east of the Continental Divide. With high or greater fire dangers in place across all of southern New Mexico and far west Texas...very low fuel moistures in place and lowland minimum relative humidities OF 8% to 15% expected...there is an increasing risk in the development of critical fire conditions in these areas Wednesday and Thursday.

New Mexico Fire Weather Zone 110
Southwest Mountains/gila Nf/apache Nf/glz-
New Mexico Fire Weather Zone 111
Southwest Deserts And Lowlands/las Cruces 
601 Am Mdt Wed Mar 22 2017

Red Flag Warning In Effect From 2 Pm This Afternoon To 7 Pm
Mdt This Evening For High Fire Danger...low Relative Humidity...
And Strong Winds For Fire Weather Zones 110 And 111...

The National Weather Service in El Paso has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 2 PM this afternoon to 7 PM MDT this evening.

* AFFECTED AREAS...Fire weather zone 110. Fire weather zone 111.

* WIND...Southwest 20 to 25 mph with gusts to 30 mph or more.

* HUMIDITY...8% to 15%.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
Be careful if you have to operate gas or electrical powered
machinery outside. 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.