Full Notification

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT LATE MORNING THROUGH MID EVENING FRIDAY FOR THE NORTHWEST PLATEAU, RIO GRANDE VALLEY, SANDIA AND MANZANO MOUNTAINS BELOW SNOWPACK AND ALL OF EASTERN NEW MEXICO DUE TO STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY AND AN UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE... .Widespread critical fire weather conditions appear likely on Friday as winds increase ahead of an approaching storm system. These strong winds combined with low humidity will allow for rapid fire spread in dry and receptive fuels. Strong south to southwest winds will peak during the afternoon hours, but will remain elevated through the evening and overnight Friday night. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Fire Weather Watch...which is in effect from Friday morning through Friday evening.

* AREA AND TIMING...This includes the Northwest Plateau (Zone 101), Upper Rio Grande Valley and Lower Chama River Valley (Zone 121), Middle Rio Grande Valley (Zone 106), Sandia and Manzano Mountains below snowpack (Zone 124) and all of eastern New Mexico (Zones 104, 123, 125, and 126) from late Friday morning through Friday evening.

* 20 FOOT WINDS...South to southwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts between 40 and 50 mph. The strongest winds are expected across central and western New Mexico, with lighter winds across the eastern plains.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum values between 8 and 15 percent.

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

* AFFECTED AREAS: NORTHWEST PLATEAU ... NORTHEAST PLAINS ... MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY ... UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY AND LOWER CHAMA RIVER VALLEY ... NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS ... SANDIA AND MANZANO MOUNTAINS ... CENTRAL HIGHLANDS ... EAST CENTRAL PLAINS

Instructions:

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