Headline:
Fire Weather Watch issued March 13 at 3:31AM MDT until March 15 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
Event:
Fire Weather Watch
Urgency:
Future
Effective:
March 13, 2026 - 2:31am
Expires:
March 13, 2026 - 2:00pm
Description:
...CRITICAL FIRE CONDITIONS POSSIBLE SATURDAY AND SUNDAY...
Gusty winds and very low relative humidities are expected for
Saturday ahead of a strong upper level trough moving into the
Rockies. West to southwest winds of 15-25 mph with gusts over
35 mph are possible in the Sacramento Mountains. These winds
combined with single digit RH's and drying fuels will lead to
critical fire weather conditions.
A second day of gusty winds is expected on Sunday with winds of
15-25 mph, overspreading all of South Central and Southwestern NM,
which will combine with very low relative humidities to create
critical fire weather conditions. ERCs are relatively higher
across the Gila National Forest, but with recent beetle die-off,
the Gila is included within the Fire Weather Watch for Sunday.
* AFFECTED AREA...Sacramento and Capitan Mountains
* WIND...West to southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph on
Saturday. Northwest winds of 20 to 25 mph with gusts to 45 mph
on Sunday.
* HUMIDITY...7 to 14 percent.
* HIGHEST THREAT...is located on the eastern slopes of the
Sacramento Mountains.
* EXPERIMENTAL RFTI... 4 to 5 Marginally critical to critical.
* IMPACTS...any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
Outdoor burning is not recommended.
Instruction:
A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
Red Flag Warnings.
Area Description:
Capitan And Sacramento Mountains
Forcast Office:
NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
Sender:
w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov