Fire Weather Watch New Mexico, Texas | Effective 03/14/2026 14:10

...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...Far West Texas, South-Central New Mexico, and the Gila Region in Southwestern New Mexico. Including Texas Fire Weather Zones 055 and 056, and New Mexico Fire Weather Zones 110 and 112. * TIMING...Noon to 6 PM Sunday. * WINDS...Northwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 7 percent. * EXPERIMENTAL RFTI... 3 to 4 Near Critical. * IMPACTS...any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.