...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...Northwest Plateau (Zone 101), West Central Mountains (Zone 105), West Central Basin and Range (Zone 106), and the North Central, Sandia, and Manzano Mountains (Zones 120 and 124) Saturday from 11 AM until 9 PM. * 20 FOOT WINDS...West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum values from 9 to 20 percent with locally higher values on the crest of the Tusas Mountains. * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended..