The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued red flag warnings across parts of New Mexico, Texas, and Colorado due to dangerous fire weather conditions. The warnings are in effect for Sunday, with additional fire weather watches issued for Monday and Tuesday as conditions are expected to worsen.

Officials warn of “critical to near extreme fire conditions” in some areas, particularly in southern New Mexico and west Texas by Tuesday.

Why It Matters

These fire weather alerts signal a potentially dangerous start to the wildfire season in the Southwest.

The combination of strong winds, extremely low humidity, and critically dry fuels creates conditions where any fire that ignites could spread rapidly and become difficult to control.

What To Know

In New Mexico, red flag warnings are currently in effect for multiple regions including the Southwest Deserts and Lowlands near Las Cruces, South Central Lowlands, Southern Rio Grande Valley, Capitan and Sacramento Mountains, Central Highlands, Sandia and Manzano Mountains, and Northeast Highlands.

Sunday’s warnings generally run from 1 to 8 p.m. MDT, with west winds of 15-25 miles per hour and gusts up to 40 mph. Humidity levels will drop to between 9-15 percent across most warned areas. The NWS Albuquerque office notes that eastern New Mexico could see wind gusts up to 65 mph by Tuesday, creating particularly dangerous conditions.

Texas faces red flag warnings covering El Paso and Hudspeth counties from noon to 7 p.m. MDT Sunday. West winds around 20 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph are expected, combined with dangerously low humidity of 7-13 percent. Fire weather watches are in effect for Tuesday when winds are forecast to strengthen to 25-35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.

Unlike New Mexico and Texas, Colorado’s most severe conditions are expected Monday rather than today, with red flag warnings issued for Monday from noon to 9 p.m. MDT in Pueblo, Huerfano, Las Animas, Otero, and other counties. Southwest winds of 25-40 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph are forecast, with humidity dropping as low as 10-11 percent. Fire weather watches are in effect for Tuesday afternoon and evening across a broader area including Crowley, Kiowa, Bent, Prowers, and Baca counties.

The NWS’s experimental Rating of Fire Threat Index (RFTI) indicates Sunday’s conditions are “near-critical to critical” (3-5 on their scale), escalating to “critical to near-extreme” (4-7) by Tuesday in some areas.

What People Are Saying

National Weather Service in a statement: “A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures will contribute to extreme fire behavior.”

National Weather Service El Paso/Santa Teresa: “Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.”

National Weather Service Albuquerque: “A fire growing pattern will continue through Wednesday with breezy to windy conditions and very low humidity each afternoon. The potential exists for wind gusts up to 65 mph in eastern New Mexico on Tuesday.”

National Weather Service Pueblo, Colorado: “Elevated fire danger is expected. Fires will catch and spread rapidly and erratically.”

What Happens Next?

Residents in affected areas should remain vigilant, avoid activities that could spark fires, and be prepared to act quickly if wildfires develop. Emergency management officials will likely increase staffing and resources in anticipation of possible fire starts.