Full Notification

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT 11 AM TO 9 AM 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... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING FOR THE MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY AND ALL OF EASTERN NEW MEXICO DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY... .Widespread critical fire weather conditions are expected 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. A strong cold front will surge from west to east early Saturday. Very strong westerly winds will develop behind the front and with continued low humidity values, critical fire weather conditions are expected once again on Saturday for the Rio Grande Valley and all of eastern New Mexico. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Red Flag Warning...which is in effect from 11 AM to 9 PM MDT Friday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.

* AREA AND TIMING...This includes the Northwest Plateau (Zone 101), Upper Rio Grande Valley and Lower Chama River Valley (Zone 121), and the Sandia and Manzano Mountains below snowpack (Zone 124) from late Friday morning through Friday evening.

* 20 FOOT WINDS...South to southwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts between 45 and 60 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum values between 10 and 15 percent.

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

* AFFECTED AREAS: NORTHWEST PLATEAU ... UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY AND LOWER CHAMA RIVER VALLEY ... SANDIA AND MANZANO MOUNTAINS

Instructions:

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