...CRITICAL TO EXTREME FIRE DANGER EXPECTED SATURDAY... .Increasing mid level flow in response to the subtropical jet streak will generate a large-scale surface trough across much of New Mexico and west Texas on Saturday. Southwest winds increasing during the late morning hours and remaining gusty throughout the day will combine with very low humidity and ongoing drought conditions to cause high fire danger. The highest risk for new fire starts will be in Lincoln National Forest and the Guadalupe Range where above normal fuel dryness and strong winds will lead to Extreme fire risk. Any fires that develop will spread quickly through forested and dense brush areas, and ongoing wildfires will be difficult to control. Overnight RH recoveries both Saturday and Sunday morning will be poor. Winds are expected to drop below critical thresholds Saturday night. We will see less wind next week, but dryness will continue with little chance for precipitation. The National Weather Service in El Paso TX/Santa Teresa has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 11 AM to 10 PM MDT Saturday. * AFFECTED AREA...Southwest and south-central New Mexico, including the Lincoln and Gila National Forests. Far west Texas including El Paso and Hudspeth Counties. * WINDS...West 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...4 to 12 percent. * EXPERIMENTAL RFTI...6 to 8 Critical to Extreme * IMPACTS...any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

...CRITICAL TO EXTREME FIRE DANGER EXPECTED SATURDAY... .Increasing mid level flow in response to the subtropical jet streak will generate a large-scale surface trough across much of New Mexico and west Texas on Saturday. Southwest winds increasing during the late morning hours and remaining gusty throughout the day will combine with very low humidity and ongoing drought conditions to cause high fire danger. The highest risk for new fire starts will be in Lincoln National Forest and the Guadalupe Range where above normal fuel dryness and strong winds will lead to Extreme fire risk. Any fires that develop will spread quickly through forested and dense brush areas, and ongoing wildfires will be difficult to control. Overnight RH recoveries both Saturday and Sunday morning will be poor. Winds are expected to drop below critical thresholds Saturday night. We will see less wind next week, but dryness will continue with little chance for precipitation. The National Weather Service in El Paso TX/Santa Teresa has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 11 AM to 10 PM MDT Saturday. * AFFECTED AREA...Southwest and south-central New Mexico, including the Lincoln and Gila National Forests. Far west Texas including El Paso and Hudspeth Counties. * WINDS...West 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...4 to 12 percent. * EXPERIMENTAL RFTI...6 to 8 Critical to Extreme * IMPACTS...any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.