Fire Weather Watch

FROM: NWS Albuquerque NM
AREA: Northeast Highlands
SENT: 2026-02-16T17:43:00-07:00

Fire Weather Watch issued February 16 at 5:43PM MST until February 18 at 7:00PM MST by NWS Albuquerque NM

…RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 7 PM TUESDAY FOR THE
NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NORTHEAST PLAINS, AND EAST CENTRAL PLAINS
DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY…

…FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 7 PM WEDNESDAY FOR
ALL OF EASTERN NEW MEXICO AND THE MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY DUE TO
STRONG WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY…

.Strong to damaging southwest to west winds will impact New
Mexico Tuesday with critical fire weather conditions over a large
area of eastern NM. Peak wind gusts of 55 to 70 mph with minimum
humidity values of 15 to 20% will allow for rapid fire spread
among fine fuels. Another day of strong to potentially damaging
winds are expected on Wednesday, and humidity values will be much
lower than on Tuesday. Minimum humidity values on Wednesday will
be between 8 and 18% across central and eastern NM. Any fires that
are started on Tuesday may continue to burn through Wednesday.
Critical fire weather conditions may also return on Thursday
across eastern NM.

* AREA AND TIMING…Northeast Highlands (Zone 123) Tuesday and
Wednesday.

* 20 FOOT WINDS…For Tuesday, southwest to west 30 to 40 mph
with peak gusts of 55 to 70 mph. For Wednesday, southwest winds
of 25 to 40 mph with peak gusts up to 55 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY…For Tuesday afternoon, minimum values of 15
to 20%. For Wednesday afternoon, minimum values of 12 to 18%.

* IMPACTS…Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
Outdoor burning is not recommended.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field of this Red Flag Warning.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field of this Fire Weather Watch.

Alert Expiration: 2026-02-17T02:00:00-07:00