Capitan Peak, NM Weather Warnings

Red Flag Warning issued May 18 at 1:02PM MDT until May 20 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM ...CRITICAL FIRE CONDITIONS EXPECTED ON MONDAY... Persistent and deep southwest flow over the Desert Southwest will bring above normal temperatures, very dry to exceptionally dry air, AND breezy conditions Sunday onward. Winds will be strongest on Monday and perhaps into Tuesday. This will combine with very dry fuels to create critical fire conditions over much of southwest and south-central New Mexico. The National Weather Service in El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from noon to 9 PM MDT Monday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * AFFECTED AREA... Southwest and South-central New Mexico, including the Lincoln and Gila National Forest. * WIND...West to Southwest Winds 15 to 25 MPH gusting to 40 MPH. * HUMIDITY...5 to 8 Percent, 8 to 11 percent above 7500 feet. * EXPERIMENTAL RFTI...4 to 6 Near Critical to Critical * IMPACTS...any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. 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 can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

National Weather Service