Fire Weather Watch New Mexico | Effective 03/13/2026 11:22

...RED FLAG WARNING TODAY UNTIL 8 PM FOR THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY... ...RED FLAG WARNING SATURDAY FROM NOON UNTIL MIDNIGHT FOR THE NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NORTHEAST PLAINS, AND CENTRAL HIGHLANDS DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH SATURDAY FROM 3 PM UNTIL 8 PM FOR WESTERN NM, NORTH CENTRAL NM AND THE SANDIA AND MANZANO MOUNTAINS DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH SUNDAY FOR ALL OF NORTHERN AND CENTRAL NM FROM 9 AM THROUGH 8 PM DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY... .Critical fire weather conditions will impact much of central and northern NM through the weekend. Critical fire weather conditions will persist across the Central Highlands today where gusty northwest winds have already developed. On Saturday, westerly winds will increase areawide, but will start earlier and linger longer across eastern NM. Therefore, long duration critical fire weather conditions are expected across much of eastern NM on Saturday, while a more focused period of critical fire weather conditions are possible from mid afternoon through early evening elsewhere. Very strong to damaging winds will develop early on Sunday and persist through the afternoon as both a Pacific and backdoor cold front press through the area. With gusts between 50 and 70 mph and single digit humidity values in many areas, critical to extreme fire weather conditions are likely despite cooling temperatures. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Red Flag Warning...which is in effect from noon Saturday to midnight MDT Saturday night. A Fire Weather Watch has also been issued. This Fire Weather Watch is in effect from Sunday morning through Sunday evening. * AREA AND TIMING...Northeast Plains (Zone 104) and Northeast Highlands (Zone 123) on Saturday from noon until midnight and again on Sunday from 9 AM through 8 PM. * 20 FOOT WINDS...On Saturday, west winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 35 to 40 mph. On Sunday, northwest and north winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...On Saturday, minimum values between 6 and 10 percent. On Sunday, minimum values between 8 and 15 percent. * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is discouraged. On Sunday, any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly and will be hard to control. Long range spotting and extreme fire behavior will be possible. Outdoor burning should not be done.