Red Flag Warning Issued for Northeast and East Central New Mexico Through Thursday Evening

Alert Details

A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, NM. This alert indicates that critical fire weather conditions are likely to develop due to a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels.

Affected Areas

The warning covers much of northeast and east central New Mexico, specifically including:

• Northeast Plains (Zone 104)
• Northeast Highlands (Zone 123)
• Central Highlands (Zone 125)
• East Central Plains (Zone 126)

Forecasters indicate the greatest confidence for critical conditions exists along and 50 miles on either side of Interstate 40, stretching from Clines Corners eastward to the Texas border.

What You Should Do

Residents and visitors in the affected areas are urged to exercise extreme caution. Outdoor burning is not recommended during this period. Any fires that develop under these conditions will likely spread rapidly and become difficult to control. Local officials and fire crews in the field should be advised of this warning.

Expected Conditions

Critical fire weather will be driven by the following factors:

• 20 Foot Winds: Southwest to west winds between 25 and 35 mph, with occasional gusts reaching up to 50 mph.
• Relative Humidity: Minimum values are expected to drop between 6 and 12 percent.
• Temperature: Well above average temperatures are forecast for the region.
• Atmospheric Conditions: Ample atmospheric mixing and dry fuels will contribute to the hazard.

Timeline

The Red Flag Warning is in effect from 12:00 PM (noon) to 8:00 PM MDT on Thursday, March 12, 2026. This replaces the previously issued Fire Weather Watch.