Red Flag Warning Issued for Central Highlands of New Mexico Through Monday Evening

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Central Highlands. This alert signifies that critical fire weather conditions are currently occurring or are imminent. The warning was issued due to the combination of strong winds and extremely low relative humidity.

Affected Areas

The primary area affected is the Central Highlands (Zone 125). The warning also encompasses the Northeast Highlands, specifically targeting areas along and east of the I-25 corridor including Ribera, Las Vegas, and Raton.

What You Should Do

Residents are urged to exercise extreme caution as any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended under these conditions. Local officials and fire crews in the field should be notified of the heightened fire danger.

Expected Conditions

• Winds: 20-foot winds from the west at 20 to 30 mph, with gusts reaching up to 45 mph.
• Humidity: Minimum relative humidity values are expected to fall between 6 and 12 percent.
• Fire Spread: The combination of high winds and dry air will allow any fire that starts to spread at a rapid pace.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning for the Central Highlands is in effect until 7:00 PM MST this evening, March 2. Looking ahead, a Fire Weather Watch has also been issued for Tuesday, March 3, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM MST for a broader area of eastern New Mexico as westerly winds and lower humidity values are expected to continue.