New Mexico Fire Weather Watch | Effective 05/13/2026 13:22

...MARGINALLY CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR MUCH OF SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH-CENTRAL NEW MEXICO ON THURSDAY... .Hot and dry conditions will continue tomorrow, but as an upper level ridge shifts east of the area and breaks down, west to southwest winds will ramp up to around 18 to 22 mph with gusts 30 to 35 mph in the afternoon. Meanwhile, minimum RH values will dip into the single digits in the lowlands, and the lower 10s below about 7500 feet. ERC values are around the 85th percentile, and continue to trend upwards, warranting a watch despite the marginal winds. The National Weather Service in El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa has issued a Fire Weather Watch for breezy and gusty winds and low relative humidity, which is in effect from Thursday afternoon through Thursday evening. * AFFECTED AREA...New Mexico Fire Weather Zones 111, 112, and 113, encompassing the lowland deserts of southwest and south-central New Mexico, and the Capitan and Sacramento Mountains and Lincoln National Forest, particularly below 7500 feet. * TIMING...Winds will increase after 11 AM, peaking the afternoon and early evening. * WINDS...Southwest 18 to 22 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum RH 7 to 9 percent in the desert lowlands, and 10 to 15 percent in the mountains below 7500 feet. Minimum RH values will be closer to 20 percent at the highest elevations. * TEMPERATURES...Highs in the middle 90s across the lowlands, dropping to the 70s above 7500 feet. Generally, 5 to 10 degrees above normal. * LIGHTNING...None expected, though dry lightning strikes are a concern in southwestern New Mexico today (Wednesday). * IMPACTS...any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. .