...RED FLAG WARNING TODAY FROM 12 TO 8 PM MDT FOR THE UPPER RIO GRANDE AND LOWER CHAMA RIVER VALLEYS, SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, AND MUCH OF EASTERN NEW MEXICO DUE TO STRONG WIND, LOW HUMIDITY AND AN UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH FRIDAY FROM 3 TO 7 PM FOR THE NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS DUE TO STRONG WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH SATURDAY FROM 11 AM TO 9 PM AREAWIDE DUE TO STRONG WIND, LOW HUMIDITY, AND AN UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE... .A fire growing pattern will commence today through Sunday with critical fire weather conditons for portions of the fire weather forecast area each day. Today, the strongest winds and lowest humidities today will favor north central and eastern areas, where Haines Indices from 5 to 6 will be common. Winds will weaken some Friday relegating critical conditions to the Northeast Highlands, where locations north of Las Vegas can expect isolated and gusty virga showers in the afternoon. The strongest winds in this fire growing pattern are forecast for Saturday, when critical fire weather conditions are expected areawide with Haines Indices ranging mostly from 5 to 6 again. The potential exists for one more day of critical conditions to favor the central mountain chain eastward on Sunday. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Fire Weather Watch...which is in effect from Saturday morning through Saturday evening. * AREA AND TIMING...Upper Rio Grande Valley and Lower Chama River Valley (Zone 121), Northeast and East Central Plains (Zones 104 and 126), and Central Highlands (Zone 125) today from 12 to 8 PM MDT, and Saturday from 11 AM to 9 PM. * 20 FOOT WINDS...For today, west and southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. For Saturday, west and southwest 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...For today, minimum values between 4 and 10 percent. For Saturday, minimum values between 5 and 14 percent. * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

...RED FLAG WARNING TODAY FROM 12 TO 8 PM MDT FOR THE UPPER RIO GRANDE AND LOWER CHAMA RIVER VALLEYS, SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, AND MUCH OF EASTERN NEW MEXICO DUE TO STRONG WIND, LOW HUMIDITY AND AN UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH FRIDAY FROM 3 TO 7 PM FOR THE NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS DUE TO STRONG WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH SATURDAY FROM 11 AM TO 9 PM AREAWIDE DUE TO STRONG WIND, LOW HUMIDITY, AND AN UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE... .A fire growing pattern will commence today through Sunday with critical fire weather conditons for portions of the fire weather forecast area each day. Today, the strongest winds and lowest humidities today will favor north central and eastern areas, where Haines Indices from 5 to 6 will be common. Winds will weaken some Friday relegating critical conditions to the Northeast Highlands, where locations north of Las Vegas can expect isolated and gusty virga showers in the afternoon. The strongest winds in this fire growing pattern are forecast for Saturday, when critical fire weather conditions are expected areawide with Haines Indices ranging mostly from 5 to 6 again. The potential exists for one more day of critical conditions to favor the central mountain chain eastward on Sunday. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Fire Weather Watch...which is in effect from Saturday morning through Saturday evening. * AREA AND TIMING...Upper Rio Grande Valley and Lower Chama River Valley (Zone 121), Northeast and East Central Plains (Zones 104 and 126), and Central Highlands (Zone 125) today from 12 to 8 PM MDT, and Saturday from 11 AM to 9 PM. * 20 FOOT WINDS...For today, west and southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. For Saturday, west and southwest 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...For today, minimum values between 4 and 10 percent. For Saturday, minimum values between 5 and 14 percent. * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.