Red Flag Warning New Mexico | Effective 03/14/2026 04:58

Headline: 
Red Flag Warning issued March 14 at 5:58AM MDT until March 15 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
Event: 
Red Flag Warning
Urgency: 
Expected
Effective: 
March 14, 2026 - 4:58am
Expires: 
March 14, 2026 - 2:00pm
Description: 
...CRITICAL FIRE DANGER THIS WEEKEND FOR LINCOLN NATIONAL FOREST, PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL NEW MEXICO AND FAR WEST TEXAS... Strong 990mb lee side surface low over eastern Colorado will increase flow out of the west across much of New Mexico and west Texas this afternoon. These winds, combined with above normal temperatures and very dry conditions, will create critical fire danger this weekend for Lincoln National Forest and portions of south-central New Mexico and far west Texas. Rapid drying of fuels over Lincoln National Forest over the past few weeks have increased the risk of fire spread. Polar jet streak will continue crossing the central Rockies on Sunday, leading to more windy conditions, especially over the high terrain and east slopes where gusts up to 60 mph are possible. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 113 Capitan and Sacramento Mountains/Lincoln NF/LNZ. * TIMING...3 PM Saturday afternoon through 6 PM Sunday evening. * WINDS...West 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...8 to 15 percent. * EXPERIMENTAL RFTI... 4 to 5 Near Critical to Critical. * IMPACTS...any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
Instruction: 
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.
Area Description: 
Capitan And Sacramento Mountains
Forcast Office: 
NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
Sender: 
w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov