Headline:
Fire Weather Watch issued April 16 at 6:14AM MDT until April 17 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
Event:
Fire Weather Watch
Urgency:
Future
Effective:
April 16, 2026 - 5:14am
Expires:
April 16, 2026 - 3:00pm
Description:
...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS POSSIBLE FOR SOUTHERN NEW
MEXICO ON FRIDAY...
Thursday will set the stage as relative humidity values drop
close to 5 percent and winds become breezy, resulting in elevated
to near-critical fire weather conditions. Critically dry
conditions continue, as winds further increase to windy Friday as
an upper- level trough swings through the Rockies. West southwest
winds increase to 15 to 25 mph during the day with gusts to 35
mph in the afternoon. Relative humidity values fall to about 10
percent on Friday. Widespread tree mortality and dieback fuels
will increase the wildfire risk in both the Gila and Lincoln
National Forests as ERCs climb back above the average, towards
the 90th percentile through Friday.
* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 110 Southwest Mountains/Gila
NF AND Apache NF, Fire Weather Zone 111 Southwest Deserts and
Lowlands, Fire Weather Zone 112 South Central Lowlands and
Southern Rio Grande Valley and Fire Weather Zone 113 Capitan and
Sacramento Mountains/Lincoln NF.
* TIMING...From noon to 8 PM Friday.
* WINDS...West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 9 percent.
* EXPERIMENTAL RFTI...3 to 5, or Near 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:
Southwest Mountains; Southwest Deserts and Lowlands; South Central Lowlands And Southern Rio Grande Valley; Capitan And Sacramento Mountains
Forcast Office:
NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
Sender:
w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov