New Mexico Red Flag Warning | Effective 05/17/2026 11:03

...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR TODAY AND MONDAY... .An upper level trough carving out over the Central Rockies will bring increasing southwest winds to the region over the next couple of days, while Relative Humidity values remain very low, and fuels remain critically dry. Winds will continue to increase through the afternoon, topping out at 20 to 25 MPH with gusts as high as 40 MPH. Winds will stay elevated overnight tonight for east and north-facing slopes, but with some variability and lighter periods, and will increase again for Monday, once again topping out around 20 to 25 MPH, with gusts around 45 mph. In some areas, winds will be strongest in the mid to late morning hours. This upgrades the Fire Weather Watch previously in effect. * AFFECTED AREA...New Mexico Fire Weather Zone 113, Capitan and Sacramento Mountains, Lincoln NF. * TIMING AND WINDS...Southwest winds will continue to increase this afternoon, generally topping out at 20 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph. Winds will diminish for a time this evening, with some variability in wind direction along north and east facing mountain slopes. Southwest winds will return after Midnight, gusting 35 to 45 mph into the early afternoon hours. Winds will begin to taper off in the lower elevation in the evening, holding on the longest along east and north facing mountain slopes. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 5 to 8 percent with very poor overnight recovery, especially along north and east facing slopes. * EXPERIMENTAL RFTI...5 to 7 through the period. * IMPACTS...any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. * ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...Winds tonight will vary considerably with terrain, and may diminish for a time before returning after midnight. The areas of most concern will be along north and east facing mountain slopes.