New Mexico Fire Weather Watch | Effective 04/22/2026 04:54

ADDED UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY AND WEST CENTRAL BASIN AND RANGE TO THE FIRE WEATHER WATCH FOR THURSDAY ...RED FLAG WARNING TODAY FROM NOON TO 8 PM MDT FOR THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, EAST CENTRAL PLAINS, AND FROM THE UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY EASTWARD DUE TO STRONG WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH THURSDAY FROM 9 AM TO 8 PM MDT FOR THE UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, WEST CENTRAL BASIN AND RANGE, AND ALONG AND EAST OF THE CENTRAL MOUNTAIN CHAIN DUE TO STRONG WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY... .An active storm track over the northern and central Rockies will strengthen the flow aloft over New Mexico today and moreso Thursday, while a potent surface trough persists in the lee of the southern Rockies. This will result in southwest wind gusts up to 45 mph today, and west and northwest wind gusts up to 55 mph on Thursday, while humidities plummet mostly into the single digits both days. The strongest winds aloft are now forecast to cross western areas tonight, so the Fire Weather Watch that was in effect for much of central and northwest New Mexico today has been cancelled. However, locally critical fire weather conditions are still likely today, especially in the northwest mountains and along and west of the continental divide. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Fire Weather Watch...which is in effect from Thursday morning through Thursday evening. * AREA AND TIMING...West Central Basin and Range (Zone 109) from 9 AM to 8 PM MDT Thursday. * 20 FOOT WINDS...West northwest winds 15 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum values around 9 percent. * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.